Issue 84 Inside Golf

InsideGolf

www.insidegolf.com.au Issue 84 July 2012

Instruction • How to “Free Up” your putting • Nail those punch shots • Improve your wrist health & strength

PREVIEW The Open Championship’s “Monster Links”: Royal Lytham and St Annes

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Clubs over ‘Boards’ Richard Fellner richard@insidegolf.com.au

Last month, I penned a piece on golf Club Boards (now posted on our website). In it, I questioned whether many club board members were suitable for their positions, and if selection processes should be reevaluated.

Well, our inbox was overflowing with positive responses. It seems that we hit the proverbial nail on the head, as clubs and members far and wide responded with stories and comments about the subject.

This month, I’d like to continue the “discussion” by sharing some of the letters that you sent in.

Right on the mark

Your article should be the basis of a required reading paper for all prospective “board” members.

Some clubs have the good fortune of corporate leaders to call on that make themselves available.

Most, however, are made up of good meaning, caring “committee members” at best. I say that with the greatest of respect.

Too many of our clubs have gone under or are currently in bad shape, due to generally good committee intentions but bad decisions on matters totally out of their depth.

Course/Building/Major financial decisions should not be implemented without referral to and advice back from qualified respective professionals.

Clubs are paying a lot of money in affiliation fees, insurance, magazines etc to Golf Australia and their State bodies. They would better serve their member clubs by providing business, club committee/ board guidance than catering to social golf clubs.

Doug Perry Mt Martha. Vic.

If it ain’t broke, fix it

I am a board member of a Melbourne metropolitan club, and your article was so true in respect of the type of person that is required to be on the board. We have a successful gaming venue which heavily subsidizes the golfing activities and, as such, as far as the members are concerned money is no object. The board is basically comprised

of retired persons with little or no business experience, yet we are running a business with a turnover in excess of $5.0m and I am not sure how we get change. The attitude is “if it ain’t broke, why fix it?”

Jack Newton is right about a board being diversified but it really is a question of people being willing to put their hands up for a job, however in most instances it is a closed shop with people not wanting change.

Alan Jones, via email

Board killing the club

I will briefly outline the profound mismanagement by recent Boards at our Golf Club. Over the past ten years, successive Boards have: • Imposed an $8m debt on our Club.

• Placed the Club in prima facie insolvency with current liabilities $1,542,050 exceeding assets of $385,045.

• Posted substantial losses over the past two years – 2011/$458,616 and 2010/$473,148.

Given that our Beachside Club is the jewel in this Tourist District crown, this situation is inexplicable. The future of many of our Club facilities is now in great jeopardy.

The above situation would not have occurred had we a CEO with total responsibility for business and golf operations. This would necessitate a change to the Club’s constitution to give the CEO total control/veto over Board propositions/ decisions.

Trev & Ray, via email

Diversity is key

One the one hand, you have directors who try to do the best for their club and often have a thankless task. On the other hand, they have to get voted at an AGM, and often few people want to do the job.

So the majority of board directors often end up being aged 50+. They have a lot of knowledge of the game, but usually have limited foresight due to a number of factors: • usually play more than 90% of their golf at their home club • they don’t see what is going on with junior golf • didn’t grow up in the computer age, so don’t envisage technology • find change difficult Golf has a major problem now in that there is a lack of players in the 20-40 age group. In the 80’s, golf rode off the Greg

Norman boom, but if you look in Sydney for example, all club memberships have been reducing for a number of years. Yet, there’s been very little changes in attitudes of golf clubs to fostering juniors, ladies competitions and membership generally.

To be an effective board member you need to listen to members’ concerns, and be able to voice the board’s view in a rational manner, as well as have the foresight and vision to advance the club.

A business plan can be an effective tool in growing a business, yet I know of few clubs who can foresee more than 12 months in advance.

Golf boards need to move with the times, otherwise all clubs will be struggling with ageing memberships. A mixture of different age groups on boards is definitely an answer, which will probably mean that some potential board members will have to be chased rather than voted for at an AGM. Name withheld by request

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Experience, not popularity I was the Finance Director of a Golf Club in S.E. Melbourne for seven years. I have an accounting background which I found to be important in trying to get the financial message across to fellow Directors and members.

Being a Director is a very time consuming position and requires a close working relationship with the GM and other committees for the Board to function efficiently.

There is no benefit in being a monthly attendee at Board meetings if that is the extent of your participation and input.

Your comment on people often getting elected for the wrong reasons is very true.

Popularity polls do not necessarily give you the right person for the job especially where there are supporting factions within the Club for particular candidates.

You do find that some people want to get on the Board to push their own agenda and don’t balance the needs of Members with the financial requirements of the Club. They want to protect their self interests and don’t want to change what has been the practice for years.

John Miller, via email

YOUR SAY

Got a comment to share on the subject. Email us, or post on our website. Keep the responses coming!

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Golf Australia outlines components of new handicapping system The Australian golf handicapping system is due to see some changes in the next 12 months.

and secondly, the player must have nominated prior to starting a round that it is to count for handicap purposes.

Richard Fellner richard@insidegolf.com.au

Last month, Golf Australia ended months of speculation surrounding the yet-to-be-released components of the national golf handicapping system.

In a letter to Club captains on June 1 (a day short of the self-imposed May deadline), Golf Australia Chairman John Hopkins summarised the work done to date on the new Handicapping System, and outlined the major components of what is yet to be implemented. No firm dates or deliverable timelines were set, with only an estimate of “the latter part of 2013” given as a date for full implementation of the system.

“We have spent the past 18 months analysing all concepts contained in each of the major handicap systems in operation around the world,” the letter explained.” These systems include the European Golf Association Handicap System, the Council of National Golf Unions (i.e. British) Unified Handicapping System, and the USGA Handicap System. Along with some unique regulations of our own, we have identified those concepts we believe to be most consistent with the Australian golf culture and preferences. Our development process has also incorporated an ongoing program of extensive statistical analysis, as well as live trialling of the new Daily Scratch Rating system within a diverse sample of clubs across Australia.”

According to Hopkins, the next stage in the implementation pathway is to work with GOLF Link and each of the Tier 3 providers to establish all software change requirements.

“We currently estimate that the new GA Handicap System will become fully operational during the latter part of 2013,” Hopkins wrote, “Whilst construction of a complete new handicap system is a significant undertaking, GA had initially anticipated an earlier implementation,” the letter added. “Our priority, however, is to ensure an appropriate level of live trialling and statistical work is performed in order that we deliver to our constituents the most effective system possible and in a cost efficient manner.

We believe it would be contrary to the interests of Australian clubs and golfers to compromise on these objectives.”

The new Handicapping system for Australian golfers has a variety of changes and aspects from previous systems. Here is the breakdown of the major components to be implemented, as detailed by GA.

Handicapping of Four-ball Scores

DSR (Daily Scratch Rating)

DSR (Daily Scratch Rating) will use a series of complex formulas to determine a rating that is a reflection of the conditions of the day. Through GOLF Link, the DSR system will establish each of the following: • The average net score for a field.

• The average handicap of a field.

• The field size.

• The type of competition (Stableford, Par, or Stroke).

• The gender of the competitors.

Once it has established each of these factors, GOLF Link will compare the actual average nett score on the day versus an “expected” average nett score (determined by GOLF Link, based upon prior rounds). The difference between these two averages will determine the DSR. GOLF Link will publish the DSR immediately after the scores are processed.

Why was this implemented?

In order to process a player’s score for handicapping, the difficulty of a course needs to be determined. For example, 82 on a very hard golf course is a much better achievement than 82 on a very easy golf course. For this reason, every set of tees on every golf course has a Scratch Rating assessed for it by a group of State/ Territory Association experts.

In addition, the difficulty of a golf course can vary substantially from day to day. Many courses in Australia are around coastal cities, for example, where the wind or weather can have a significant impact on the difficulty of a course (Look at Barnbougle Dunes, The Cut, The Dunes, The National, etc). On many days the Scratch Rating will not currently reflect the course difficulty. It is hoped that the DSR will help correct this.

Slope

Slope adjusts a player’s handicap to the course they are playing by using that course’s Slope Rating. This increases the portability of handicaps and creates a more level playing field for golfers. Under Slope,

every set of tees on every golf course will have both a Scratch Rating and a Slope Rating. The maximum Slope Rating is 155 (difficult) and the minimum is 55 (not so difficult). The neutral Slope Rating is 113.

The Scratch Rating is the number of strokes a Scratch marker (i.e. a player with a handicap of 0) is expected to have. The Slope Rating indicates how much harder or easier the course will play for a player who is not a Scratch Marker.

For an expanded explanation of slope, read: A Slippery Slope: How will the Slope System affect your handicap? on our website: www.insidegolf.com.au/?p=3746

SHA (Stableford Handicapping Adjustment) In America, the USGA System employs what is known as Equitable Stroke Control (ESC). In essence, it eliminates any high hole (blowout) scores from a player’s stroke round for handicapping purposes (it has no bearing on the competition). A player at a mid-high handicap level, for example, would not be allowed to record a score higher than a doublebogey, whereas a lower marker may not record a score higher than a bogey on a hole (etc). This keeps handicaps equitable while also prevents major upward shifts in handicaps.

In Australia, instead of ESC, our system will convert all Stroke or Par scores to Stableford scores (for handicapping only – they will NOT be converted for the day’s competition). For a Par competition, the Stableford equivalent will be determined by adding 36 points to the player’s final result (Thus, a score of 4-down becomes 32 points).

Handicapping of Conforming Social Scores

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9-hole and Incomplete Score Regulations The GA Handicap System will now cater for 9-hole scores. GOLF Link will store a player’s 9-hole score for automatic combination with their next 9-hole score. The key points of the new regulations for the handicapping of incomplete scores and scores of less than 18 holes are as follows: • Where 16-17 holes inclusive have been played, the player will be deemed to have had net par for the remaining holes. The score will be processed as an 18-hole score.

• Scores returned over 9-15 holes will be entered into GOLF Link as 9-hole scores (Holes 10-15 will be disregarded.)

• Where only 8 holes have been played, the player will be deemed to have had net par on the 9th hole. The score will be entered into GOLF Link as a 9-hole score.

• Any score of less than 8 holes will be disregarded.

The initial 9-hole score a player returns is to be entered into GOLF Link; it will not immediately be used in the calculation of the player’s GA Handicap.

It will be automatically held by GOLF Link in the player’s handicap record (together with the relevant 9-hole course rating) until another 9-hole score is entered. The two 9-hole scores will be combined automatically by GOLF Link to create a single 18-hole score.

For more info, visit www.golfaustralia.org.au

The new handicap system will permit a social score to be used for handicapping but only if the following conditions are met: Firstly, the player’s home club must have chosen to allow the use of social scores;

YOUR SAY

What do you think about the newly announced components of the handicapping system? Visit our website and share your comments: www.insidegolf.com.au/?p=5689

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The four-ball handicapping component will be very similar to the current method except for a small amount of fine-tuning. The new system will permit a club to choose not to handicap four-ball scores if they believe their circumstances do not support four-ball handicapping.

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July 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

news New face at Strathfield GC MEMBERS and regular visitors to Strathfield Golf Club in Sydney will have to look twice the next time they enter the pro shop.

That’s because professional Ray Wilson won’t be the one staring back at them.

Wilson, arguably Australia’s longest-serving club professional, has retired and Carlo Salvato, Peter Senior’s former caddie, is now running the pro shop.

Former Oatlands Golf Club pro Mark Reeve, the teaching pro at Strathfield, is now the club’s PGA professional.

A popular figure, Wilson spent 51 years at Strathfield and served the local community as deputy mayor for a number of years in the 1980s and ’90s.

The members will miss him, but you can bet your bottom dollar he will find time for an occasional round.

After more than half a century behind the counter, Wilson said he was looking forward to having a weekend off.

“I am starting to think what it’s going to be like to be home on a Sunday morning to have breakfast with my wife and to read the paper,” he said.

“Those are the things I have never done before.”

Salvato also operates the Hudson Park Golf Driving Range. •

Scott tops in Glenden A final round six-under-par 66 saw Grant Scott come from three shots behind to take out the 2012 Xstrata Glenden Pro Am. Scott finished at 11-underpar for the two rounds, two shots ahead of Sam Brazel and first round leader Chris Wood who both finished in a tie for second.

“I am just really happy with my form while playing the Mining Town Pro Ams. It is my first time up here and I am lost for words with winning twice, but it is great to see the hard work paying off and I am now really looking forward to some big events coming up on my schedule over the next three months”. •

Scrivener tops at The Cut Mandurah Toyota Pro-Am The Coast with the most

The winning Amateur Team with The Cut CEO Declan McCollam, Jason Scrivener, Jasmin Steele, Sue Thwaites, David Thwaites and Dr Kim Hames PGA Touring Professional and Mandurah local Jason Scrivener won the Mandurah Toyota Invitational Pro Am at The Cut with an outstanding score of 6 under-par in near perfect conditions.

Michael Long, former WA PGA Champion finished 3 strokes behind with a score of 3 under par.

Scrivener only turned professional 18 months ago and is already enjoying some success on the OneAsia and Australasian tours. He also began a campaign on the Canadian tour last month.

Scrivener’s amateur team of Sue Thwaites, David Thwaites and Yasmin Steele were delighted with the win and praised Jason’s skill and attitude.

David Thwaites commented: “Jason Scrivener is an outstanding role model for all young people in this region.”

Declan McCollam, CEO/General Manger stated “On behalf of the board and management of The Cut, I would like to thank Mandurah Toyota for their continued sponsorship of this event. Mandurah Toyota has been supporting events at The Cut since it opened in 2005. We are very grateful for the ongoing involvement.

We would also like to thank the other associated sponsors: E-Z-Go golf carts, Mandurah Packaging,

Schweppes, Vasse Felix, CUB, and Toro without whom, events such as this would not be possible.”

“The two-day Pro Am event at The Cut was the culmination of a great week of golf for the Peel region. There were one day Pro Am events held at Pinjarra Golf Club and Mandurah Country Club prior to the event here at The Cut. We can all be proud of this showcase of the region’s golfing destinations,” he added. •

Scott and Ballard’s class act Grant Scott and Matthew Ballard tied for victory at the 2012 Valley Longwall International Conveyor Division Emerald Pro Am. Both Scott and Ballard finished on 11-under-par for the two rounds to finish one shot ahead of Drew McLellan.

Scott’s nine-under-par 61 in the second round (a new course record) looked as though it was going to be good enough for outright victory, but Ballard had different ideas shooting his own final round 63 to finish with a share of the spoils. •

THE facilities at The Coast Golf Club in Sydney are about to get a whole lot better.

In recent months, the club has injected around $230,000 into the clubhouse and golf course.

“We are in the process of installing a TAB and a new poker machine room,” general manager Kieran Semple said.

“This is in addition to some overdue restoration of the clubhouse and continuing to improve the golf course with drainage work on the fifth and sixth holes as well as some new pathway construction.

“We are putting a bit of money back into the facilities.

“The new TAB and poker machine room will encourage the local residents and members to use clubhouse facilities more.”

Regular golfers are also benefitting from the course conditions.

“The course is in fantastic condition with the benefit of a bit of extra rainfall over recent months.

“We go into winter with the course in the best condition it’s been for a while.”

The club’s restaurant continues to keep customers satisfied following the appointment of new caterers late last year.

Recently the club is promoting an attractive one-off membership offer.

Anyone joining the club in June will pay just $1590, which includes the joining fee and membership.

“That is more than a 50 per cent saving with only a limited number of spots available,” Semple said.

The Coast, which is located at Little Bay 12 kilometres south of the CBD, is a seaside linksstyle course.

It’s open to the public seven-days-a-week and visitors can play for as little as $25 (midweek) and up to $50 on weekends. Limited times available. •

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news

GQ regional forums

The Golf Queensland Regional Forums provides education to clubs in regional areas. This involves giving guidance on how to achieve better practices plus hopefully provoking further discussion for improving club operations.

The aim of the Regional Forums is to give new approaches and ideas to attendees, which they can then apply to their own clubs. The forums offer many ideas and tools, but ultimately it is up to attendees to take the information home and apply it to the environment of their own organisation.

Topics will include: Understanding your club’s insurance needs, changes to Rules, what your club should know about superannuation, embracing volunteers at your club, what funding is available to your club–such as grants, how to involve juniors at your club, and marketing to new members.

Scheduled Dates: Townsville – Saturday 14 July, Townsville Golf Club, 9am to 3pm Emerald – Sunday 19 August, Emerald Golf Club, 9am to 1pm (times TBC) For more information and to register for a Regional Forum, visit the events page on the Golf Qld website www.golfqueensland.org.au •

Golf Queensland elects new director The Golf Queensland Board has announced the appointment of Judy Logan as a replacement Director following the recent resignation of Tricia Harding.

Judy brings a significant amount of experience and knowledge about the game of golf to the position. She has been a member of Laidley Golf Club since 1983 and has been on the Club’s Committees since 1984 and on a District level since 1990. Judy is also an accredited Course Rater and is currently the Delegate for Brisbane & District Ladies Golf Association and Secretary for the Moreton District.

The Golf Queensland Board consists of: Tom Crothers (Chair), Peter Castrisos, Matthew Toomey, Carmel O’Keeffe, Graeme Mathers, Lorraine Matthews and Judy Logan. •

Golf SA conduct golf clinics in the APY Lands

Some of the participants at a recent golf clinic in the APY Lands.

In 2006, the SANFL embarked on a sports program on the APY Lands aimed at consolidating organised men’s and women’s sport — softball for the women, football for the men. The Program now allows the communities the opportunity to experience different sports.

School attendance in the APY Lands is one of the major issues and the sports program is one of the activities assisting in this area.

On behalf of Golf SA, State Assistance Coach and PGA professional, Jamie Clutterham recently ventured to the remote north west of South Australia, to the APY Lands, to conduct golf coaching clinics as part of the SANFL APY Lands Sports Program. Golf

was the only sports activity delivered on this trip.

The “tour” included Fregon (home community of Hawthorn’s Amos Frank), Mimili (where they were on the local footy oval composed of dirt and rocks), and Indulkana (1,200km northwest of Adelaide) “Apparently the best judge of the enjoyment of a sport in the APY Lands are the kids. If they don’t like a sport they’ll lose interest very quickly. The locals here told me this was a great credit to the sport and the kids here were shattered when we had to finish up,” said Clutterham.

“All in all, it was a very successful trip in regards to participation and engagement of the kids in all three communities.” •

New neighbours for Penrith GC

SYDNEY’S Penrith Golf Club could soon have some new neighbours.

The club is planning to sell off some of its surplus land to a developer, who plans to build a housing development for seniors.

With that in mind, the club, which boasts an 18-hole par-72 championship course, has started a new event for seniors.

The event, to be played every Monday, is open to all seniors (male and female).

Golfers will pay a $10 competition fee, which includes a drinks voucher. Alternatively, golfers can choose to pay $20 and have the use of a shared golf cart.

“We thought if we can get an event like this started it might be a nice thing to do rather than start it when the development proceeds,” general manager Brendon Kop said.

“We will have an established event for seniors to play in.”

Mr Kop said the two hectares (five acres) portion of land would help the club’s bottom line.

“We have an opportunity to sell some land and alleviate the small debt we carry and put some money back into the golf course and clubhouse.

“In the end, we will have a better facility for the members and our visitors.” •

Driven to despair

HOONS have caused havoc at Emerald Golf Club in Queensland’s Central Highlands.

According to club president Stewy Euston more than $200,000 damage was done to the golf course in less than an hour when vandals drove on to the course virtually destroying four greens and five fairways.

“They drove all over the second, fourth, fifth and sixth greens and the second, fourth, sixth, 10th and 18th fairways,” he said.

It didn’t take police long to round up the culprits.

“We have a few coppers that play here and they actually came down to look at the damage,” Stewy said.

“They went around and looked at one suspect’s car which hadn’t been cleaned very well.

“The offender is a bit remorseful for what he’s done, but he will have to face court.

“He wants to come down to the club and apologise and help out, but it’s not a good idea at the moment because the members are pretty angry.

“We’ll leave the apology for another time.

“Because of the depth of the wheel grooves on the greens it will be some time before the course is back in the excellent condition it was prior to the pro-am.”

Stewy said superintendent Lucas Brown, pro Dave Delahunty and staff had worked around the clock to make the course playable.

“Lucas should take a lot of credit for how the course is looking. It’s just a shame we’ve had this setback.

“We were supposed to play our Open this weekend, but it’s been postponed until September.”

He said the club’s 300-plus members were proud of their course.

“We have some challenging holes and we are reasonably priced at $450 for membership. We have an air-conditioned clubhouse and a fullystocked pro shop.

“We are probably the only club around the area with no debt and wanted to do more improvements until this setback.

“The membership keeps growing and we are getting more social members now.

“We have a progressive committee a put out a regular newsletter so we are moving forward to the 21st century,” Stewy joked. •

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July 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

news

Bell wins Women’s Country Week

Townsville and Rowes Bay Golf Clubs played host to the 2012 Women’s Country Week Championships from 21-23 May. Over 280 players from 42 clubs made their way to Townsville for a great week of golf. Rowes Bay hosted the first round of the Silver and Bronze II Championships on Tuesday with Townsville local Fiona Bell (77) leading her sister Eileen (78) after a birdie on the last hole.

In the Bronze II Championship, Shirley Haslam from Rowes Bay put a space between herself and the field with a great score of 43 points to lead Ann Smith by 6 points.

At Townsville Golf Club, Nambour member Kay Jenkinson (91) led a large field of 140 players, with local Julie Laslett in second with 94.

Overcast conditions greeted the players for the second round, with Silver and

Bronze II heading to Townsville and Bronze I players to Rowes Bay. After trailing her sister after the first round, Eileen Bell mastered the conditions to storm home with 73 to win the Queensland Women’s Country Championship by 6 shots from Samantha Foley (Coolangatta-Tweed).

Bronze II leader Shirley Haslam held her nerve to record 34 points and hold off Sophie Hart (Toowoomba City) who recorded 38 points on the final day at Townsville.

Round two of the Bronze I Championship concluded at Rowes Bay where Cheryl Scown of Pioneer Valley come from 8 shots back to shoot 89 (total 188) and defeat Julie Laslett on count back, with consistent rounds of 94 and 94 resulting in a runner-up finish.

In 2013 the Women’s Country Week heads south to the Sunshine Coast, with TewantinNoosa and Mt Coolum Golf Clubs looking forward to hosting upwards of 400 players. •

Senior, Thomas and Victorsen inducted as PGA Life Members The PGA has inducted three new Life Members into its Membership including one of Australia’s most popular golfers, a West Australian who competed alongside the likes of Arnold Palmer and Peter Thomson, and a passed Queenslander who dedicated his life to growing the game of golf.

Peter Senior, Leonard Thomas and Arnold Victorsen were all honoured with the PGA’s highest accolade at last month’s Annual General Meeting, joining legends such as Norman Von Nida, Dan Cullen, Kel Nagle, Charlie Earp, Jack Newton and Greg Norman as Life Members.

“On behalf of the PGA Board, staff and Membership I congratulate Peter, Leonard and Arnold on their Life Membership and thank them for their contribution to both the Association and Australian golf,” said Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA. “It was an easy decision for the Membership to induct the trio, given their distinguished, iconic status within Australian golf.”

A prolific winner on the PGA Tour of Australasia, Peter Senior has won 20 domestic titles. The 52 year-old has also earned victories on the European Tour, Japan Golf Tour and the European

Seniors Tour in a career that spans five decades. He represented Australia on numerous occasions including The Presidents Cup (1994, 1996) and the World Cup (1988, 1999).

A PGA Professional since 1960, Leonard Thomas had a profound impact on the West Australian golf industry. After completing a PGA Traineeship Thomas pursued a playing career where he experienced great success, highlighted by three WA Open Championship titles, and an appearance at The Open Championship where he played alongside some of the world’s greatest golfers including Arnold Palmer, Bill Dunk, Kel Nagle and Peter Thomson.

While Arnold Victorsen passed in 2000, his posthumous nomination for Life Membership was wholeheartedly supported by the PGA Membership. A Member of the PGA from 1937 until his passing, Arnold was a popular Head Professional at Townsville Golf Club for 32 years. He was a passionate advocate for golf in Queensland and initiated numerous Pro-Ams, whilst also sharing his expertise with Northern Queensland clubs that were not serviced by their own PGA Professional. •

Price replaces Norman as Presidents Cup captain PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem announced last month that Fred Couples and Nick Price will serve as captains of the U.S. and International Teams, respectively, for The Presidents Cup 2013 in Dublin, Ohio.

With his appointment as International Team captain, Zimbabwe’s Price now has the distinction of being the captain with the most Presidents Cup experience as a player. He competed for the International Team a total of five times (1994, 1996, 1998, 2000 and 2003), compared to Couples’ four appearances (1994, 1996, 1998, 2005) and Norman’s three (1996, 1998, 2000).

“It’s an amazing honour to be selected to serve as U.S. Team captain again in 2013,” said Couples. “It’s safe to say that The Presidents Cup has been a huge part of my career and my life, from playing in four events to my experiences in 2009 and 2011 as captain. Those memories are unforgettable, and I feel extremely fortunate to get another chance to be a part of The Presidents Cup. And congrats to Nick on his selection as International Team captain. He’s a great friend, and I know he’ll also be a great leader.”

Price said, “I am both honoured and excited to have been selected. Ever since playing in the inaugural Presidents Cup in 1994, it has been an event that has meant so much to me, and I have looked forward to the opportunity of captaining what I know will be a very strong International Team.”

Price replaces Australia’s Greg Norman, who announced after the 2011 event that he would not be seeking reappointment for the position. Finchem said that starting with the 2015 Cup, the leaders of international tours will select the Internationals captain.

The Presidents Cup 2013 will be held Sept. 30-Oct. 6 at Muirfield Village Golf Club. www.presidentscup.com •

Nominate your volunteer Volunteers are the lifeblood of the golfing industry. They spend countless hours mowing fairways, gardening, running competitions, promoting their club and more importantly assisting the industry in attracting more people to the game.

Golf Queensland have introduced a new initiative assisting Districts in recognising their volunteers.

GQ will present nominated volunteers with a certificate of appreciation at the District’s AGM. All nominations received throughout the year will be considered for the annual Golf Queensland Volunteer of the Year Award presented at the annual Queensland Golf Industry Awards in Brisbane.

For more info about Golf Qld’s Volunteer Recognition Program, visit the Volunteers section at www.golfqueensland.org.au or contact (07) 3252 8155. • www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2012

9

industry news Berri Hotel secures golf club assets Debts in excess of $100,000 have prompted the Renmark Golf Club to secure a deal which gives ownership of its assets to the Berri Resort Hotel group. Under the agreement the Berri Resort Hotel group will spend more than $1 million to clear club debts, pay staff entitlements and upgrade the course and facilities. Renmark Golf Club president Peter Ruston said the arrangement, which was agreed to by members at a meeting on last month, was the only option left to the club after years of financial instability.

The deal includes more than $40,000 worth of entitlements for the golf club’s three paid staff and a commitment to take on the club’s debt position. It will also include more than $400,000 to redevelop the greens and additional funds to enhance facilities, including accommodation upgrades and new infrastructure such as swimming pools and tennis courts.

The Berri group bought into the golf course operation about eight years ago, investing in a major redevelopment of its motel and restaurant. Mr Ruston described the deal as a ‘win-win’ situation and one that had been on the cards for many years.

He said the club was now debt-free and the hotel had made a strategic move to secure the long-term future of the golf course, which was critical to the success of the hotel group’s accommodation and dining facilities. “Without a golf course there’s not much there,” he said of the site on the outskirts of Renmark. “They [the hotel group] are shoring up their investment and protecting their investment. “I don’t want to go down as the president that sold the club down the river but I also didn’t want to go down as the president that led the whole thing getting padlocked shut.” •

Hamilton Island to host top PGA Professionals

Meet GolfLink’s new CEO

Australia’s leading golf club and teaching Professionals will line up for their chance to contest their national title in 2012, with this year’s PGA Professionals Championship headed to Hamilton Island.

After two years at the Sandhurst Club in Melbourne, the 2012 PGA Professionals Championship Final will be contested at Hamilton Island Golf Club from 12th – 16th November.

The tournament will attract PGA Professionals from all corners of the country, with participants set to earn their spot in the field via a series of state qualifying events.

“The PGA Professionals Championship has a proud history within our Association, and we look forward to starting the next chapter at Hamilton Island Golf Club,” said Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia.

Golf Link Partners recently appointed Craig Connelly as its new Chief Executive Officer, replacing predecessor Judy Pridmore. Connelly commenced his role in early April 2012 and has been spending some time settling into his new position. He has now started to map out a pathway for the company to focus on in both the short and medium term.

Connelly has spent more than 20 years working in the financial markets, the last 7 years as CEO of an Australian long/short equity fund. Previously, he spent 12 years at Goldman Sachs JBWere, where he ended his tenure as Head of Research and an equity partner of the firm. Consistently rated one of Australia’s leading equity research analysts whilst employed at Goldman Sachs JBWere, and a passionate golfer and general sports nut, Connelly believes his lateral thinking, strategic focus and love of the game of golf will stand him in good stead to meet the challenges in his new role.

“Golf Link is incredibly lucky. Not only do we enjoy the challenge of providing an accurate and timely representation of every Golf Link cardholder’s golf handicap, we also then have the opportunity to exploit our commercial presence at www.golflink. com.au. Through working with our commercial and golfing partners to promote the game of golf and contemplate a range of products and services we feel this will benefit all golfers either as part of their golfing experience or in their everyday pursuits”.

Ultimately, Golf Link will remain true to its core product offering; being the service provider of a high quality golf handicap system to Golf Australia and every Golf Link cardholder. •

“This year’s PGA Professionals Championship will again boast $50,000 in prize money and the winner will also secure a coveted spot in the field of the 2012 Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola.”

Listed at number 14 in Australia’s Top 100 Public Access Golf Courses in 2011, the Peter Thomson designed Hamilton Island course will provide a real test for the 50 qualifying Professionals, whilst also boasting breathtaking island views. •

Report released on impact of Carbon Tax on golf industry Golf Australia, in cooperation with Golf Management Australia and the Australian Golf Course Superintendents’ Association, recently commissioned a study into the economic impacts of the incoming Carbon Tax on Australian golf clubs and the wider industry.

As regular and often considerable consumers of electricity, petrol and diesel in daily operations, the tax has the potential to have a visible impact on

golf clubs with their energy bills. The prospective modeling gives golf clubs approximate differences to their energy costs once the tax is enacted. As one of the first sports to provide this information to its industry, Golf Australia is committed to assisting clubs with information for their current and future planning.

This report is available from the Golf Australia www.golfaustralia.org.au •

Amstel golf course tees off for housing CRANBOURNE’S Amstel Park golf course will be developed for housing. The prime 48-hectare property, a kilometre from the Cranbourne shopping centre, is expected to provide up to 600 lots for housing. Club secretary-manager Peter Craig said the course would remain fully operational until at least 2015.

Unlike many golf clubs that have been forced to relocate, the member-owned club is in a strong

Hide the Red Dot. Putt Like a Major Champion.

position, having built a course, Ranfurlie, just a few hundred metres from Amstel Park. Ranfurlie has been rated among the top 100 courses in Australia since it was built a decade ago. Mr Craig said funds from the sale of Amstel Park would be used to build a new venue catering for dining, functions, gaming and live entertainment. The club has also approached Casey Council about setting aside some of the golf course for other sporting pursuits. •

Mike Orloff

morloff@golfindustrycentral.com.au

ACADEMY OF GOLF

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industry news

FROM THE CEOs Brian Thorburn CEO – PGA of Australia

As an Association, the PGA has a very proud history only made possible by the hard work and dedication of our Members and, each year at our AGM, we have the opportunity to recognise outstanding contributors as Life Members. This year the PGA inducted three new Life Members, Peter Senior and Leonard Thomas as well as Arnold Victorsen, who receives this award posthumously. They now join legends such as Norman Von Nida, Dan Cullen and Kel Nagle as recipients of our highest accolade.

All three Life Members have had a profound impact on Australian golf, and throughout their

Stephen Pitt CEO – Golf Australia

At the end of May, Golf Australia released the major components of the complete new GA Handicap System.

Your club would have received a letter from Golf Australia’s Chairman John Hopkins together with a flyer and poster outlining the major components of the new system. We encourage clubs to put these posters in a visible place on the club noticeboard for interested members to read.

The handicap system design process has been ongoing since late 2010 when the GA Board decided that a purpose-built system would provide better

career have contributed substantially to the game at an international, national and community level. On behalf of the PGA Board, staff and Membership I would like to again congratulate Peter, Leonard and Arnold for this their latest honour.

Last month, the PGA also announced a new venue for the annual PGA Professionals Championship, the national title for Australia’s leading golf club and teaching Professionals.

After two years at the Sandhurst Club in Melbourne, this year the PGA Professionals Championship is headed to Hamilton Island Golf Club from 12th – 15th November, 2012.

The tournament will attract PGA Professionals from all corners of the country, with participants set to earn their spot in the field via a series of state qualifying events that are now underway.

Hamilton Island will make a stunning backdrop for the Championship, and we look forward to

welcoming defending champion Graeme Stockley from Belmont Golf Club and the rest of the field to the Whitsundays.

I would also like to congratulate Nick Flanagan on his recent win at the Nationwide Tour’s Charity Pro-Am. As many would be aware, Nick is now a four-time Nationwide winner, however this is his first title since 2007 when he earned an elusive three-win promotion to the PGA Tour.

It has been a long and challenging road for Nick between titles, but I hope this is the first of many more for the talented New South Welshman.

Finally, in the last edition of Inside Golf I sent my best wishes to Jarrod Lyle and his family. I am pleased to have heard that Jarrod is now in remission and continuing treatment. We all hope that the day he can return to competitive golf is just around the corner, however if you want to get involved and contribute to Jarrod’s charity, Challenge, please visit www.challenge.org.au. •

outcomes for Australian golf than adopting the USGA Handicap System.

Together with a program of extensive consultation, we have spent the last 18 months analysing all components of each of the major handicap systems around the world.

Along with unique regulations of our own, we have identified those concepts we believe are the most consistent with the Australian golf culture and preferences. Our development program incorporated a program of extensive statistical analysis as well as live trialling of the new Daily Scratch Rating system within a diverse sample of clubs across the country.

The next implementation stage is to work with GOLF Link and the Tier 3 providers to establish all required software changes in detail–a significant and complex project.

We estimate that the new GA Handicap System

will be fully operational during the latter part of 2013. We will be in a position to confirm dates once mapping work with GOLF Link and Tier 3 providers has been completed.

As always, all handicapping communications are available on Golf Australia’s website under the Rules and Handicapping menu.

July also sees the US Women’s Open played in Wisconsin. Golf Australia, through the annual Karrie Webb Series scholarships, will send National Squad players Breanna Elliott (Yarrawonga Mulwala) and Whitney Hillier (Joondalup) to spend the US Women’s Open week with Karrie.

This is an incredible opportunity for both girls and we are very thankful to Karrie for giving her time and hospitality in the week of a Major. I know Karrie enjoys having the girls with her during the week and they benefit enormously from the behindthe-scenes experience. •

Buy into prime villa next to golf course • Just 40 minutes from Noosa and less than two hours from Brisbane • Most affordable in the country • Villa 7 is one of the best in the complex.

One of the first originally hand-picked off the plans • Three bedrooms and a large office upstairs, kitchen and living downstairs • Double lock-up garage • Third toilet • North-facing aspect, offering views down the fairway • Caesarstone benchtops, barbecue, pool, private gymnasium • Minutes from Gympie’s CBD, where you can shop in the city’s historic main street and appreciate 19th century architecture which echoes the gold rush era • Figures are available on request

New turf for Hudson Park to save Council thousands Strathfield Council has completed a major sustainability project at Hudson Park Golf Course using a revolutionary new turf which will deliver potential savings of up to $40,000 annually.

The upgrades involved the returfing of all 18 playing greens and two practice greens to a new Australian-first drought resistant turf species, irrigation upgrades and tree and root pruning as part of Sydney Water’s Irrigation and Landscape Efficiency Project (ILEP).

After a successful trial of a new turf in 2010, the project commenced in September 2011 with the staged returfing of the course greens to a paspalum turf species to replace bent grass which was often unreliable in Sydney’s hot summers resulting in heat stress and green closures.

For the first time at an Australian golf course, a SeaDwarf® Paspalum variety was selected for its drought resistant, disease and saline tolerant properties as well as its high colour retention quality.

The SeaDwarf® Paspalum properties allow for significant reductions in water, chemical and fertiliser consumption; reduced requirements for ongoing maintenance; and increases the reliability and playability of the course by maintaining good playing conditions through the hottest and coldest months of the year.

An irrigation system overhaul and landscaping works has enabled a new approach to water usage at the 17 hectare golf course. The tree and root pruning was undertaken to reduce stress on greens as well as a staged approach to eradicate weed trees at the course. The works are estimated to result in a saving of 12,000 kilolitres each year and along with the reduction in chemical usage and subsequent operational costs, Council will see a potential annual saving of $40,000. •

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11

legends tour

Legends Tour report: Peter Senior Howeston – 40 years on

Larry Canning ed@insidegolf.com.au

The first major for the 2012 Champions Tour season has been played and once again Peter Senior was nothing short of brilliant. The stodgy little Queenslander just continues to chew away at the heels of the biggest names in the game and it seems ludicrously obvious that he will take that elusive first Champions Tour title any day. His final round 8-under-par 63 in the Senior PGA Championship rocketed him up to 4th place and another cheque for some crazy amount of American dollars. Our other three Aussies in the field, Graham Marsh, Peter Fowler and Mike Harwood found it a bit tougher, with Chook Fowler the only one to make it through the halfway cut.

On the European Seniors Tour we’ve already had a runner-up finish by Mike Harwood. In the first event of the season, the Mallorca Senior Open, Mike shot rounds of 70, 67 and 70 to finish two shots back of England’s Garry Wolstenholme.

Fellow Aussie Graham Banister shot a final round of 67 to also finish inside the top ten.

Back in Australia we over-50-year-old silver tops are currently shivering in front of our fireplaces, telling our kids how good we were and waiting for the Queensland leg of the Legends Tour to start. The Tour tees off on July 23rd with the Surfers Paradise Legends Pro-Am appropriately played at the Surfers Paradise Golf Club. From there it’s the Gold Coast Senior Open at Helensvale Golf Club then

Peter Senior continues to impress on the Champions Tour The Fraser Coast Classic played at Hervey Bay Mercedes-Benz Gold Coast Legends Tour Pro Golf Club is next on the schedule after which we Am at Sanctuary Cove. Next is Mount Warren play Mark Tickle’s favourite golf course, namely Park for the Magnitude Mt Warren Park Legends Tewantin Noosa for the Queensland Senior Open Pro Am before heading west for the R&O Championship. The City of Ipswich Sandy Gallop Communications City Golf Club Legends Pro Pro-Am, The Ken Barton Memorial Wynnum Am in Toowoomba.

We keep heading west until we arrive at Pro-Am and the Amalgamated Pest Control Chinchilla, followed by Dalby then Jandowae. It Carbrook Pro-Am follow this and the Tour must be said the hospitality shown by the locals culminates with the Queensland Senior PGA at these three regional golf clubs is something not Championship played at the beautiful Redland to be missed, even if it brings on the occasional Bay Golf Club. hangover. We then drive back towards the coast If you are interested in playing alongside some of the biggest names in Aussie Golf and enjoy to the gorgeous Crowne Plaza Pelican Waters some great yarns from some of the characters Golf Resort & Spa. Actually, I try and make sure on the Legends Tour, contact David Rosenthal I’m the passenger for this particular drive as I at the QLD PGA and he can put you in touch could be still suffering a little “Post Jandowae with the right people. • hospitality syndrome”.

FORTY is not a great score for a golfer even on a nine-hole golf course.

But down in the Moreton Bay area they have that score on a 27-hole layout – a remarkable total altogether.

A family that once ran a dairy farm and grew strawberries at Birkdale in Brisbane awoke one morning and decided you couldn’t hit the little red things far enough and so the Howeston Golf Course came to life in the first of what has now become a 40-year project.

That was in June 1972.

The name came from a combination of the surnames of the original owners, Howard (Jack and Kath), and the Westons (Lyn and Bill).

Jack passed away in1979 and Kath in 2004.

It was just like Topsie – it grew and grew – first from nine to 11 holes, then 12, then 18 in 1979.

The third nine holes was unveiled in 2003.

The golf course’s matriarch, Lyn Weston, said this year’s annual pro-am (October 9) would be its 33rd and trails the similar event at Dysart by a single year.

“Over that time we have hosted almost all the Australian professionals, except for Greg Norman.

“At the end of the day the players all try their hands at the ever-popular long driving competition.”

She is extremely proud of the fact the golf course has remained totally in family hands since its beginning.

And she is certain that without their myriad of lifelong friends that 40-year journey would have been much harder. •

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events

Sensational line up for Holden Scramble Regional Finals With the Holden Scramble local event season now well underway, the PGA has announced its Regional Final venue hosts for 2012, with some exciting new courses awaiting lucky qualifiers.

Sea Temple Golf and Country Club, located on the spectacular Port Douglas peninsula, is one such venue that is certain to bring a new challenge come the business end of the Holden Scramble season. Also new to the finals series is Newcastle Golf Club (NSW), consistently rated as one of Australia’s best regional golf courses.

Also in New South Wales, the Graham Marshdesigned Twin Creeks Golf and Country Club will likewise provide a new challenge for golfers of all ability levels.

In Victoria, La Trobe Golf Club and Cobram-Barooga Golf Club round out the new additions for 2012. Surrounded on two sides by the Yarra River, La Trobe will offer plenty of water to appreciate (and avoid), while up on the New South Wales / Victorian boarder the majestic redgum and pine tree-framed fairways at Cobram-Barooga Golf Club will present their own unique challenge.

All together, 22 golf courses across Australia will host the mixed and Women’s Regional Finals with some old favourites also back on the list. Bonville Golf Resort is one such ‘regular,’ the multi-award winning Coffs Coast course back for its 21st Regional Final.

Involved since the inaugural Scramble season in 1992, Bonville is the longest-running Regional Final venue.

“The Holden Scramble Regional Finals provide a great opportunity for teams to enjoy some quality golf courses they may not have otherwise had the opportunity to play,” said Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia.

Holden Scramble Regional Final Venues Date

State Venue

30-Sep QLD

Robina Woods Golf Club

30-Sep QLD

Brookwater Golf Club

1-Oct

VIC

The Sands Golf Club

2-Oct

NSW Macquarie Links International Golf Club

2-Oct

VIC

5-Oct

NSW Riverside Oaks Golf Club

5-Oct

SA

Blackwood Golf Club

7-Oct

QLD

The Colonial Golf Club

8-Oct

NSW Newcastle Golf Club

9-Oct

WA

Woodlands Golf Club

Secret Harbour Golf Links–Metro Final

12-Oct TAS

Tasmania Golf Club

14-Oct QLD

Sea Temple Golf and Country Club

14-Oct QLD

Pelican Waters Golf Club

15-Oct WA

Secret Harbour Golf Links–Country A Final

15-Oct NSW Federal Golf Club 16-Oct WA

Secret Harbour Golf Links–Country B Final

16-Oct NSW Gold Creek Country Club 18-Oct VIC

Heritage Golf and Country Club

19-Oct NSW Kooindah Waters Golf Club 19-Oct NSW Kooindah Waters Golf Club 21-Oct QLD

“Holden Scramble teams travel from all parts of Australia to take part in the Regional Finals, some driving for up to 8 hours just to be involved. With a trip to the Championship Final up for grabs, there is plenty on the line for the participants.”

In total, approximately 2,500 participants from 600 teams will make their way through to the Holden Scramble Regional Finals where they will be joined by a fifth competitor in their local PGA Professional.

The Holden Scramble Regional Finals will be played between September 30 and

October 29, 2012. To secure a spot in the field, Holden Scramblers must first win their way through one of over 350 local qualifying events, currently underway around Australia.

To get involved, visit www.holdenscramble.com to find a local event in your area, or contact the PGA Events Division on 03 8320 1999 to ensure you don’t miss out on any of the action.

Just for taking part you will receive great prizes and offers from Holden Scramble sponsors, including a $550 (Incl GST) Cashback from Holden. •

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22-Oct NSW Twin Creeks Golf and Country Club 29-Oct VIC

Cobram-Barooga Golf Club

29-Oct NSW Bonville Golf Resort

2012 Women’s State Final Venues Date

State Venue

15-Oct VIC

La Trobe Golf Club

15-Oct WA

Secret Harbour Golf Links

15-Oct QLD

Pelican Waters Golf Club

22-Oct NSW Twin Creeks Golf and Country Club

Regional Final allocations are at the discretion of the PGA Events Division. The PGA reserves the right to alter Regional Final details where necessary.

Upcoming Holden Scramble Events MIXED EVENTS NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW

Bonville Golf Resort Dubbo Golf Club Moruya Golf Club Ryde-Parramatta Golf Club Macquarie Links International Muswellbrook Golf Club Armidale Golf Club Bermagui Country Club Hurstville Golf Club Bega Country Club Riverside Oaks Golf Club Newcastle Golf Club Vincentia Golf Club

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Deniliquin Golf Club Yarrawonga & Border GC Horsham Golf Club Rossdale Golf Club Secret Harbour Golf Links The Cut Golf Club

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WOMEN’S EVENTS NSW NSW NSW NSW NT SA

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Morisset Golf Club Warringah Golf Club Cootamundra Country Club Federal Golf Club Palmerston Golf Club Barossa Valley Golf Club

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Women’s Metropolitan Grade Final results

Pennant Hills went through the season undefeated to win their first Grade No. 1 pennant with 12 points. There was still plenty of interest on the final day with all matches affecting the final placings. Bonnie Doon defeated Manly to maintain their position in Grade 1 for 2013. New South Wales defeated The Lakes to end the season in 4th position just behind The Australian on games. Concord and The Australian battled it out for second position with Concord coming out on top with 4 wins to 3.

Grade No. 2 went down to the wire four clubs battled for victory, with Castle Hill, Monash, Pymble and host club Avondale all able to claim the title with a victory and other results going their way. Monash pressed their claims with a 4.5/2.5 win over Royal Sydney leaving the result down to the match between Castle Hill and Pymble. In the end Castle Hill triumphed 4/3. The results gave them five wins for the season, just half a win clear of Avondale and Monash.

Grade No. 3 proved to be the tightest Grade of the season with three clubs all finishing on 4.5 wins. In the final round contests Wakehurst recorded a narrow 4/3 win over North Ryde, whilst Cumberland beat Killara 4/3. Those results saw Cumberland, Killara and

Wakehurst equal on team points and having to be separated by individual wins to determine the winner for 2012. On the back of two 7/0 wins earlier in the season Wakehurst took the Grade flag on 29 individual wins. Killara finished second with 26.5 wins.

Bayview put the exclamation mark on their undefeated season as they defeated Cabramatta 5/2 in the final round of Grade No. 4 at Cronulla GC. Elanora were victorious in their final round match 5.5/1.5 over Cromer to claim second spot whilst Muirfield came in third.

With just half a win separating Camden Lakeside and Randwick heading into the last round of Women’s Grade No. 5, the result was going to go down to the wire at Asquith Golf Club. The task of securing a win against a home club proved too great for Randwick as Camden Lakeside scored a resounding 4-1 victory and the Grade No. 5 title.

Long Reef and Moore Park were drawn against each other in the final round at Long Reef Golf Club to determine the winner of Grade No. 6. Despite an early surge by Long Reef, Moore Park steamed home, winning the last four matches and the contest to be crowned champions. The win capped an outstanding season that comprised four solid wins and one narrow loss. •

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Wilson claims Jean Derrin Trophy Olivia Wilson (New South Wales GC) has taken out the Jean Derrin trophy for 2011/2012 with a scoring average of 76.06. Two rounds of 74 at ClubCatalina GC in her home town of Batemans Bay as well as an even par 72 around the challenging The Lakes GC layout set the platform for a consistent 12 months. Wilson’s form continued over the summer months including a solid performance at the Lake Macquarie Amateur with rounds of 78, 77 and 74 and an appearance at the Women’s NSW Open which yielded rounds of 74 and 76. Two fellow State Team members filled the minor placings with Lauren Hibbert (scoring average 77.08) and last year’s winner Adriana Brent (77.16) finishing second and third respectively.

The Jean Derrin Trophy is open to female amateur golfers who hold a current Australian or overseas equivalent handicap, and who have a handicap of 8 and under. www.golfnsw.org •

Welsford wins the ACT Championship Cup Pambula-Merimbula’s Jana Welsford won the Division One, ACT Championship Cup. This year was the first time Jana had played this tournament. Jana shot a 77 at Federal and a 82 at Gold Creek for a total of 159, two strokes ahead of round one leader, Brenda Chalmers (Elanora GC) and Federal’s Paige Stubbs with both shooting a total of 161.

Sandra Kimberley (Pymble GC) won the Seat of Government Cup for Division Two with a total of 196. On 197 was Veronica Vlandys (Wollongong GC) to be runner up with scores of 103 and 94.

Wakehurst’s Sharon Giblin won the Autumn Meeting Cup for Division Three with a total of 68 stableford points, edging Margaret Novaro from Mona Vale by one point. •

Tharle takes Men’s NSW Mid-Amateur Championship It could have been anyone’s day on the final day of play in the 2012 Men’s NSW Mid Amateur Championship, with only two strokes between the top three players in the final group of the day.

Andrew Tharle from Royal Canberra was leading overnight and managed to hold until the last putt was sunk with a total score of 231, winning by one shot from Dunheved’s John Fearnley with a total of 232. Brendan Ellam from North Ryde was a further one shot behind with a total of 233.

100 competitors contested the event, which was held at Magenta Shores Golf and Country Club. It was open to male amateurs between 30-54 years of age, with a handicap of 9.4 and under. It was stroke play over three rounds of 18-holes. •

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Hillier storms home to win Malaysian Amateur Australia’s Whitney Hillier lived up to her top billing as she usurped defending champion and hot favourite Kelly Tan Guat Chen to clinch the 29th Malaysian Ladies Amateur Open in dramatic fashion.

The 21-year-old National Squad member from Joondalup Country Club in Perth was the topranked player in the field at 15th on the World Amateur Golf Rankings. She bounced back from a poor second round, lighting up the East Course at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club with a sizzling six-under-par 65 to beat local challenger Kelly by one stroke.

Eight strokes off the pace at the start of the round, Hillier traded seven birdies against a single blemish on the par-four eighth, including a run of four birdies in six holes on the inward nine, to become the first-ever Australian winner of the prestigious national ladies amateur championship.

“It’s just been an amazing week really. I just went out there today with no expectations and had so much fun and support out there. I’m really happy with the way I played today and being the champion is a great bonus,” said Hillier, who claimed her third amateur crown of the year having won the Lake Macquarie Amateur Open and the Riverdale Women’s Cup in Australia earlier in the year.

“I started off well, mixing three birdies and a bogey on the front nine and went into the back nine with some good thoughts and vibes and it definitely got me rolling those three consecutive birdies from the 13th which put me in contention,” shared the lass of English-Thai parentage.

“My putting was a lot stronger today. My iron play has really improved day-on-day, the first day it was really scrappy but I managed to post a good score. Yesterday it didn’t do the trick but it really came to the fore today and I was on fire,” she added.

Whitney Hillier Hillier admitted that she was surprised to find herself ahead after finishing her round.

“I didn’t realise that I was so close to Kelly but I just went for it. I really wasn’t trying to think too much about her [Kelly] score because she has just been great this week. She could have easily made four or three-under today but it didn’t happen and I’m quite surprised to stand here as the winner,” she added.

A disappointing first nine of three bogeys against a birdie saw Kelly failing to get her game going early on and her performance continued to unravel on the back nine. The top-ranked Malaysian admitted that nerves came into play towards the end.

“I didn’t know that Whitney had charged back until the 15th and I guess it did raise the stakes a little bit and the pressure got into my head,” said Kelly, who carded a bogey on the 16th to drop

Bettencourt holds on to win NSW Amateur Championship

behind Hillier before seeing her short birdie putt on 17th lip out.

“It hurts because I lost by such a narrow margin but if I’m taking something from this tournament, is that I should play every shot as if it’s the last,” she added dejectedly. •

Leading final round scores (Division 1 only) 208 – Whitney Hillier (AUS) 68-75-65 209 – Kelly Tan Guat Chen (MAS) 68-67-74 211 – Dottie Ardina (PHI) 68-75-68 212 – Princess Superal (PHI) 71-67-74 213 – Aretha Pan (MAS) 71-69-73 Details provided by the Malaysian Ladies Golf Association

Memberships available at Everglades Country Club

Western Australia’s Hayley Bettencourt held her nerve to win the 2012 Women’s NSW Amateur Championship at Twin Creeks in western Sydney.

After 18 holes, Bettencourt of Mandurah Country Club, was a commanding 9up over Queensland’s Ali Orchard and everyone was ready for an early presentation. Orchard, however, displayed her fighting qualities to win 5 of the next 9 holes. Bettencourt then steadied to hold onto that margin to win 4/3.

The result was a reward for some steady golf from Bettencourt, who finished 7th overall in the 72 Hole Strokeplay rounds leading into the Matchplay series.

Bettencourt, only a couple weeks previous, was a member of the 2012 WA Women’s State Team which took out the Interstate Teams Matches for the second consecutive year. She was also runner up in the 2011 Australian Junior Amateur. •

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17

seniors Using the Order of Merit as a selection guide, Golf WA also announced the West Australian Senior Team to represent their state in the Australian Senior Amateur Championship at Yarra Yarra Golf Club in September. The team is Ian McPherson (Joondalup), Graham Bowen (Mandurah), John Wanless (Mandurah), and Michael Duffy (Nedlands). Alex Cleave was unavailable.

QUEENSLAND

Super Senior Pennant Golf

West Australian Senior Order of Merit Pos 1 2 3 4 5

2012 Super Senior Pennant Champions – The Lakes Golf Club: Jeff Coxon, Geoff Everett, Bob Janzen, Ray Pattinson, Gary Hughes Bernie Moase, Bruce Johnson, Sam Randazzo, Vince Clark Morriset golfer Barry Ewert can be well satisfied with the growth of Super Senior golf in NSW in recent years. In 2001 Ewert returned from a trip to the USA where he played in a Senior Golfing Society competition for over 65 year olds. He was sure a similar event would be a perfect solution for his golfing friends who were growing older but still looking for competitive match play golf.

In 2002 and with strong support from Jimmy Earl (still the patron of the super seniors) Ewert helped begin the Super Senior Pennant competition. The initial year saw seven clubs from the Brisbane Waters District compete with Morriset the winning club. The competition soon grew and in 2005 nineteen clubs from Sydney joined in to make a total of thirty three. Newcastle won the 2005 final defeating Strathfield.

This year, 47 teams took part in the competition.

Teams covered Wollongong in the south to Hawkes Nest in the north with strong representation from Newcastle, the Central Coast and Sydney in

WESTERN AUSTRALIA Alex Cleave tops Senior OOM

Golf West Australia recently published their 2012 Senior Order of Merit based on results of performance by local seniors in the 54-hole West Australian Seniors Championship (Cottesloe Golf Club) and the 36- hole Lake Karrinyup Seniors.

The top position went to a true senior legend

between. The 2012 final between The Lakes and Belmont clubs played at the Oatlands club proved to be a very close contest with the result in doubt until the last match. When The Lakes number one player Vince Clark edged out Belmont’s Bruce Boyle on the seventeenth hole the title belonged to The Lakes. The Lakes Golf Club has now won the Super Senior Pennant three times, equalling the record shared by Belmont and Newcastle.

For many players the Super Seniors has been a golfing highlight as they take this first opportunity to represent their club in a significant match play competition. It has also allowed many of the stars of yesteryear to continue their involvement in interclub competition.

By any measure the Super Senior Pennant competition has been a great success and Barry Ewert and Jimmy Earl can feel justifiably proud of the competition they started in 2002.

More information on the NSW Super Senior Pennant competition can be found on their web site http://superseniorpennant.com. • in the west–Lake Karrinyup’s Alex Cleave. Cleave has won the WA Senior Championship a record seven times and can now add the inaugural Senior Order of Merit title to his list of accomplishments.

Two golfers who often travel east for Australian senior tournaments finished in second and third place: Joondalup’s Ian McPherson and Mandurah’s Graham Bowen.

Player Alex Cleave Ian McPherson Graham Bowen John Wanless Chris Carey

Club Lake Karrinyup Joondalup Mandurah Mandurah Lake Karrinyup

Events 2 2 2 2 2

Pts 23 21 16 14 12.5

VICTORIA Jackson takes the lead in the Doug Bachli Yarra Yarra senior Michael Jackson has taken the lead in the 2012 Doug Bachli Trophy for Victoria’s best senior amateur golfers. Jackson’s second place finish behind NSW senior Rick Oliver in the 54-hole Cobram Barooga Seniors saw him take over the top spot from the defending champion, Cobram-Barooga’s Ross Percy. Colac’s Greg Welsh continues his consistent good play to move into the top three.

Local member Alan Bullas was the winner of the 2012 Commonwealth Seniors and this victory saw him climb the Bachli table and he is now in fourth place and ready to challenge the leaders.

Wily Goonawarra veteran Pat Giles rounds out the top five.

In the net competition Ignatius Duivenvoorden from Yarram Golf Club has continued his good form in handicap events and leads on 1047 points.

He has a comfortable lead over two seniors from the Commonwealth Golf Club, Alan Buckley (805) and Graham Bone (737).

All senior golfers are reminded of this year’s “Sandbelt Week” in August with events scheduled for Royal Melbourne, Yarra Yarra, Kingston Heath and Victoria golf clubs.

Victorian Senior Order of Merit Pos 1 2 3 4 5

Player Michael Jackson Ross Percy Greg Welsh Alan Bullas Pat Giles

Club Yarra Yarra Cobram Barooga Colac Commonwealth Goonawarra

Events Best 8 9 1273 8 1079 7 999 7 940 9 916

Further information on the Doug Bachli Order of Merit is available on the Golf Victoria website www.golfvic.org.au.

NSW Bockman leads Senior OOM

At the halfway mark in the 2012 NSW Senior Order of Merit competition, Long Reef golfer Ross Bockman holds the lead in a very close competition. Bockman has been very consistent all year with seven top five placings, including two wins, in his twelve starts.

The NSW Senior Order of Merit is calculated on a golfer’s best 12 results and with many just reaching this number of events, positions on the table will change as poorer scores are discarded.

Defending champion Denis Dale (Twin Creeks) has also recorded seven top five finishes with two wins and he is close behind Bockman in second place. Three time winner Steve Gibson from St Michael’s holds third place, a few points ahead of Mona Vale’s Greg Stanford who has also won three senior events this year.

Twin Creeks newcomer Graham Blizard is in fifth position and with the lowest number of events played he is looming as a real threat to the current leaders of the competition.

For the first time this year Penrith’s Clark Gibbons has taken the lead in the Over 65 Years Order of Merit.

Gibbons is on 663 points and he holds a narrow lead over Bexley golfer Tom Yates (622) with ACT golfer Bill Banks (566) not too far away in third place.

There are still 20 events remaining in the 2012 NSW Senior Order of Merit Competition. Full details on all these events are available on the Golf NSW website www.golfnsw.org.

NSW Senior Order of Merit Pos 1 2 3 4 5

Player Ross Bockman Denis Dale Steve Gibson Greg Stanford Graham Blizard

Club Long Reef Twin Creeks St Michael’s Mona Vale Twin Creeks

Events Best 12 12 1490 13 1442 13 1373 11 1345 8 1310

Coming senior events:

Jul 9-11 Queensland Senior Amateur - Bribie Island GC Jul 16-17 Gold Coast Seniors – CoolangattaTweed & Lakelands GCs July 18 Ocean Shores Seniors – NSW Aug 4-5 Seaside Classic – Port Macquarie NSW Aug 10 Royal Melbourne Seniors Aug 13 Yarra Yarra Seniors Aug 14 Kingston Heath Seniors Aug 15 Victoria GC Seniors Aug 20 Metropolitan GC Seniors Recaps by Denis Dale

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July 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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events

Can you conquer Keperra?

KEPERRA Golf and Country Club has issued a challenge to club golfers with a Golf Australia handicap: “Come and challenge yourself on a championship golf course set up similar to major tournament conditions.”

On Monday, July 23, the club will host a one-off Blue Marker Challenge with a difference.

There will be an added bonus for the player with the best gross score – a spot in the Keperra Bowl field is guaranteed provided that player has a handicap of 4.4 or less.

The Keperra Bowl is a prestigious 72-hole national and world amateur rankings event for the game’s elite amateurs.

The club’s general manager Gavin Lawrence said the one-off Blue Marker Challenge was not limited to the game’s elite players.

“The event is open to A, B and C grade golfers with a Golf Australia handicap,” he said.

“It’s a unique opportunity for all golfers to showcase their skills on a championship golf course.

“It will also give someone the chance to win a much soughtafter spot in the Keperra Bowl, which is something that has not been offered before.”

According to organisers, the superintendent and his staff will set up the golf course in exactly the same way they set up the demanding Keperra Bowl course.

JULY Schweppes Social Golf Club Challenge

Where: Links Hope Island When: July 15 Info: golfmail@linkshopeisland.com.au Limited to 15 teams, Social Clubs can enter a team of 8 players in the Single Stableford in conjunction with a Team Stableford event.

Teams are drawn with the Team Score being the top 5 stableford scores from each team.

There are individual and team prizes courtesy of Schweppes and TaylorMade with the winning team receiving a 50% discount on their next outing to Links Hope Island.

The day includes 18 holes of championship golf, shared electric

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The Bonville Pairs Invitational is open to both Male and Female players with new entrants welcome and will this year be the 12th annual. Each day of golf is a different format and sees each ‘team’ playing with different players to ensure the event is a social one and different each day. The event entry fee includes: 4 nights twin share accommodation (Sunday through Wednesday), 4 rounds of 18 holes golf including twin share electric cart, Full hot breakfast daily, Welcoming BBQ Dinner Thursday evening, Presentation Dinner on Sunday.

CHALLENGE: Keperra Golf and Country Club’s course will be at its toughest next month.

With that in mind, it will be interesting to see how many players in the field can match or better their handicap.

There will be plenty of prizes up for grabs on the day.

The entry fee is $40 per person or $50 per person in a shared golf cart and includes a beverage and a snack.

Anyone interested in playing should contact the golf club on (07) 3355 7744, but be quick because numbers are strictly limited. •

carts (with GPS), BBQ lunch.

To register call (07) 5530 9000, or for more information contac t Mark Holland (07) 55309087 or via e -mail mark.holland@linkshopeisland.com.au

The Links Hope Island Ladies Rosebowl

Where: Links Hope island When: 16th July, 17th S eptember, 3rd D ecember, 5th December Info: e-mail golfmail@linkshopeisland.com.au Lady golfers from Brisbane and Gold Coast are invited to the Links Hope Island Ladies Rosebowl events.

General Manager Mark Holland states “This year the Ladies

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August NSW Mixed Foursomes Championship Where: Ryde-Parramatta Golf Club When: 5 August 2012 Info: www.golfnsw.org

The 2012 NSW Mixed Foursomes Championship is open to men and women, with the individual handicap limits of 18 for men, and 36 for women. The Championship will be foursomes stroke play over 18 holes, with females playing from the first tee.

This year Golf NSW is pleased to announce the introduction of the NSW Mixed Foursomes Club Champion of Champions event, to be played in conjunction with the NSW Mixed Foursomes Championship. Club Mixed Foursomes Champion

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Where: Bonville Golf Resort When: 26th – 29th July Info: www.bonvillegolf.com.au/upcoming-events

4,5,6,7,8,9 + W, D and SW Regular, Seniors and Ladies Flexes Some left hand regular (Not all variations available) Includes cover

144 balls ($13/dozen) Individually boxed

SRIXON Ball Sale

Bonville Pairs Invitational

Cleveland HB3 Iron/Hybrid Clearance Eagles & Birdies

Distance ball with great feel Great for ball competitions Bulk Qty

Rosebowl will be bigger and better than ever before. Ladies will play single stableford in conjunction with a team aggregate stableford.”

“It is a great day with the ladies teeing off at 8.30 am and finishing up with lunch, fashion show, presentations and fabulous prizes. The day includes 18 holes of championship golf, shared electric carts (with GPS), tea / coffee and biscuits on arrival. All players receive a welcome bag at registration” Mark said For bookings call (07) 5530 9000 or for more information contact Mark Holland (07) 5530 9087 or via e -mail mark.holland@linkshopeisland.com.au

2 doz

Srixon Carry Bag Legs pop out Rainhood 2.8kg Dual Strap Black or Red doz

$149

$79

events pairs are invited to enter and play in this inaugural event. Club Champions are exempt from the handicap limits.

Entries are now open - $90 per pair via hard copy, or $80 per pair online. Entry also includes savouries at the completion of play.

Entry Forms are now available on the Golf NSW website or contact Nicole Bessant, Events Coordinator on nicole.bessant@golfnsw.org or (02) 9505 9105 for more information.

Port Stephens Classic

Where: Various Courses When: August 12 to 17 Info: golfclub@nelsonbaygolf.com.au A golf tournament aimed at exposing visitors to the delights of playing top courses in beautiful Port Stephens is now taking registrations for its 16th year.

The Port Stephens Classic will offer golfers the chance to play the bushland 27-hole course at Nelson Bay, the championship Pacific Dunes course at Medowie and the prestigious Newcastle layout at nearby Fern Bay. Play is over four days with a registration-cocktail party on Sunday August 12 and a rest day on the Wednesday, giving players and their partners the chance to enjoy the other tourist attractions, shops and restaurants of Port Stephens. The week finishes with a presentation dinner on Friday, August 17.

The format for the classic is four rounds of stableford golf with prizes upwards of $5000 offered to daily winners and the overall winners in grades. Limited field of just 200 players.

For more details on this excellent and friendly golf holiday break contact Nelson Bay Golf Club on 02 4981 1132 or email golfclub@nelsonbaygolf.com.au

North Shore Heart Research Foundation Annual Golf Charity Challenge When: Monday 13 August Where: Long Reef Over 100 golfers will tee it up to battle heart disease next month.

The North Shore Heart Research Foundation (NSHRF) is a small but effective charity (soon to go national) that has funded significant cardiac research, producing outcomes with a beneficial impact on treatment practises locally as well as worldwide. The Foundation has been funding life -saving heart research at Royal North Shore Hospital for the past 25 years; contributing over $20 million to the fight against heart disease.

Contact shellee.duncan@heartresearch.com.au or on (02) 9436 0056.

Women’s Weekend Tournament Where: The Vintage Golf Course When: Saturday 25 – Sunday 26 August Info: www.golfnsw.org

The Women’s Weekend Tournament is an annual event held in the picturesque Hunter Valley. The

event has been running since 2008 and has become increasingly popular with entries filling well before the closing date.

The Women’s Weekend Tournament is open to female amateurs who hold a current Australian or overseas equivalent handicap. It is played over two days, with shotgun starts both days. The format is 18-holes single stableford on the first day, and 18-holes Best Ball Teams Event V Par on the second day.

Competitors always enjoy the course with its challenging layout there is always a good story to be told at the 19th after playing a game at the Vintage.

Entry Forms are available at www.golfnsw.org or contact Nicole Bessant, Events Coordinator nicole.bessant@golfnsw.org or (02) 9505 9105.

Veterans Carnival Golf Championship Where: Various Courses When: 16th to 28th August Info: Ray Kahl 07 4936 2776, raykahl@iinet.net.au

The Central Queensland Distric t Veteran Golfers Association cordially invites all Veteran Men and Women Golfers to join the fun at the 2012 Tropic of Capricorn Veteran Golfers Carnival.

Each player must be a financial member of a Veterans Golf Club, a registered Golf Club and have a current AGU or WGA handicap.

The 2012 Carnival Championships for Men and Women golfers will be decided on a points system based on both participation and success. Points will be allocated on results in all divisions to golfers who participate in these Open Events.

Carnival winners must have completed in at least 5 of the days, one of which must be the C.Q. Open Championships. Winners must also be available for the presentation following golf on that day.

Carnival Nomination forms and costings are available at www.cqdistvetsgolf.wetpaint.com Playing preferences will be provided to those golfers who compete in multiple events.

All nomination forms and pay-ups must be in by 4pm on the 9th August.

Events and dates:

EMU PARK OPEN Thursday 16th August: Division 3 for Men & Women Friday 17th August: Div. 1 & 2 for Men & Women ROCKHAMPTON OPEN Monday 20th August CAPRICORNIA COUNTRY CLUB OPEN Tuesday 21st August YEPPOON OPEN Thursday 23rd August, Friday 24th August CAPRICORN RESORT OPEN Monday 27th August 9am shotgun start. Electric carts provided. Resort course: Men. Championship course: Women.

C.Q. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS @ CAPRICORN RESORT Tuesday 28th August Electric carts provided. Championship course: Men. Resort course: Women.

Queensland Sunshine Tour Date JULY Sun Wed Wed Thurs-Sun Tues Thurs-Sun Tues Thurs-Sun Tues-Wed AUGUST Fri-Sat Wed Fri Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat-Sun Mon Mon Tues Thurs-Sun

Tournament

Prize

1st 4th 11th 12th-15th 17th 19th-22nd 24th 26th-29th 31st-1st

Tully Willows Pioneer Valley Mackay Capricorn Country Club Rockhampton Zilzie Bay Capricorn Classic Bargara

$10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $70,000 $10,000 $50,000 TBC $100,000 $17,500

3rd-4th 8th 10th 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th 17th 18th-19th 20th 27th 28th 30th-2nd

Maryborough Riverlakes Noosa Par 3 Caloundra Mt Coolum Woodford Beewah Horton Park Bribie Island Peregian Springs Twin Waters Pine Rivers McLeod Jeep Series (Qld Event)

$17,500 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $12,000 $10,000 $17,500 $12,000 $10,000 $10,000 $100,000

Events are subject to change without notice. We recommend you contact the courses/clubs prior to the event to avoid disappointment.

Golf NSW – July Calendar of Events Event Golf NSW Events Women’s Pewter Plate Men’s Golf Foundation Day

Venue

Date

Richmond GC Elanora GC

23 July 30 July

Cabramatta GC Pacific Dunes GC Liverpool GC

21 July 21 July 28 July

Women’s Jean Derrin / Senior Order of Merit Events Pennant Hills Cup Pennant Hills GC Mona Vale Silver Salver Mona Vale GC Bayview Silver Salver Bayview GC

2 July 23 July 26 July

Men’s Vardon Events Cabramatta Cup Pacific Dunes Cup Liverpool Cup

Men’s Senior Order of Merit Events Pymble Seniors Pymble GC 9 July Tweed Heads (Mon), Gold Coast Seniors 16-17 July Lakelands (Tue) Ocean Shores Seniors Ocean Shores CC 18 July

For information on any of the above events, or for a full list of fixtures go to: www.golfnsw.org

A U S T R A L I A’ S M O S T R E A D G O L F M A G A Z I N E

www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2012

21

events

September

Entry Forms are now available on the Golf NSW website or contact Nicole Bessant, Events Coordinator on nicole.bessant@golfnsw.org or (02) 9505 9105 for more information.

Women’s Country Meeting Where: Various Clubs When: 3-6 September Info: www.golfnsw.org

The 2012 Women’s Country Meeting will be held over three days in September, Monday 3 at Concord Golf Club, Tuesday 4 at Bankstown Golf Club and Thursday 6 at Carnarvon Golf Club.

This event is run by Golf NSW, and was developed exclusively for Country Women to participate and experience some of the more challenging Sydney Metropolitan golf courses. It is held at different venues each year to highlight and provide participation to as many Sydney Courses as possible.

The format for the first two days of play at Concord and Bankstown are Divisions One and Two, 36-hole stroke, while Division 3 play a 36-hole Stableford event. The third and final day at Carnarvon is a Foursomes event which will be held in two divisions. Divisions for the event are determined after the close of entries.

The Women’s Country Meeting is open to all female amateur golfers who hold a current handicap and are a member of a Golf NSW Country District Golf Club.

Entry Forms are now available on the Golf NSW website or contact Nicole Bessant, Events Coordinator on nicole.bessant@golfnsw.org or (02) 9505 9105 for more information.

Women’s Coronation Medal

Where: Ryde-Parramatta and Concord Golf Clubs.

When: 18 September Info: www.golfnsw.org The format for the competition is an 18-hole stroke handicap competition for teams of four players on handicaps from plus to 22. Each club entering the competition nominates the players to represent it and the courses on which each pair will compete. The Coronation Medal is awarded to the team with the best aggregate of four nett scores.

October Perth International

Where: Lake Karrinyup Country Club When: 18 to 21 October Info: www.perthinternational.com The new Perth International will capture the attention of golf fans internationally when it brings some of the world’s best players to Perth to compete for Australian golf’s richest prize purse. The Perth International is the only event on this year’s Australian tour to be sanctioned by the European Tour, creating the opportunity to attract big-name European players, with US$2 million prize money at stake.

Tickets start at AU$44 and will be available online from mid July. Children aged 13 and under will enjoy free entry when accompanied by a paying adult.

Brookwater Championship Black Marker Challenge Where: Brookwater Golf & Country Club When: October 31 Info: (07) 3814 5500 Both Men and Ladies will play off their respective Championship Markers with challenging pin positions on every hole. A range of prizes will be on offer, including the latest in high-performance golf products from worldleading brand Titleist.

The Brookwater Championship Marker Challenge has two more qualifying events –Wednesday 31 October. The entry fee is $90 per person, and is open to golfers with an official Golf Australia handicap. •

PENRITH GOLF CLUB 5 Day (Mon-Fri) membership

$500 inc GST

Membership until 31st May 2013

NEW Monday Seniors (over 50’s) Competition • Open Medley Single Stableford event • $10 competition fee (includes drink voucher for Clubhouse)

• $20 competition fee with shared motorized cart (includes drink voucher for Clubhouse) • Shorter course set up

Contact the Pro Shop 02 4736 1613 The Northern Road Penrith NSW 2750 P: 02 4736 1633 | E: proshop@penrithgolfclub.com.au | W: www.penrithgolfclub.com.au 22

July 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Woodford win for Trevor, Ruth TREVOR Box from Windaroo Lakes Golf Club in Brisbane has won the Queensland Veteran Golf Union Men’s Championship played at Woodford Golf Club.

Box carded rounds of 75-71 for a two-over-par total of 146.

In the women’s event, Ruth Yelland of Cairns Golf Club was successful with consistent rounds of 85-84.

Tin Can Bay’s Barry Bargenquest provided a tournament highlight when he aced the par-3 17th hole.

More than 250 players took part in the tournament.

They came from as far afield as Cairns in the north to Belmont (NSW) in the south.

Woodford Golf Club’s general manager Pat McAtee received praise and adulation from visiting golfers about the condition of the golf course and the organisation of the event.

The Queensland Veteran Golf Union promotes golf throughout Queensland for men over the age of 55 and women over the age of 50. The Queensland vets have more than 8000 members.

Woodford Golf Club will host the Queensland Veterans’ State Foursome Championships on September 3-4. •

Pike walks away with Blackwater title

Aaron Pike overcame a slow start on the final day to claim the 2012 Blackwater Mineworkers Club Pro Am. A solid round two score of four-under 68 was good enough for a 12-under-par total for the two days and a four shot victory.

Pike started the day with a one shot lead and despite a bogey at the first, he soon found the form that took him to the course-equalling round of 64 on the opening day. Pike finished four shots ahead of Matthew Ballard, Adam Blyth and Paul Hayden who all tied for second. •

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scorecard

World Rankings as of June 19 Top 20 Australians 1. Adam Scott (17 in world rankings) 2. Jason Day (21) 3. John Senden (35) 4. Aaron Baddeley (46) 5. Geoff Ogilvy (51) 6. Greg Chalmers (67) 7. Robert Allenby (82) 8. Marcus Fraser (92) 9. Brendan Jones (96) 10. Kurt Barnes (150) 11. Nick O’Hern (158) 12. Marc Leishman (160) 13. Richard Green (163) 14. Brad Kennedy (173) 15. Rod Pampling (244) 16. Scott Hend (268) 17. Kieran Pratt (273) 18. Jarrod Lyle (282) 19. Brett Rumford (286) 20. Matthew Jones (287)

Top 5 World Rankings 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Luke Donald (averaged points 10.12) Rory McIlroy (8.86) Lee Westwood (8.28) Tiger Woods (6.78) Webb Simpson (6.66)

Top 20 Rolex World Rankings in Australia 1. Karrie Webb (20 in world) 2. Katherine Hull (46) 3. Nikki Campbell (96) 4. Lindsey Wright (97) 5. Karen Lunn (142) 6. Frances Bondad (161) 7. Kristie Smith (163) 8. Stacey Keating (173) 9. Tamie Durdin (174) 10. Sarah Kemp (190) 11. Nikki Garrett (210) 12. Sarah Jane Smith (215) 13. Bree Arthur (253) 14. Rebecca Artis (265) 15. Rachel Bailey (294) 16. Stephanie Na (306) 17. Jessica Speechley (307) 18. Vicky Thomas (308) 19. Ashley Ona (367) 20. Julia Boland (398)

Simpson captures U.S. Open

Hiroyuki Fujita closed with a 73 to capture the Diamond Cup Golf 2012. Fujita finished at 14-under 274 and won by three shots over Kiradech Aphibarnrat.

CHAMPIONS TOUR

Jay Haas posted a tournament record-tying 16-under 197 total to win the Principal Charity Classic by five strokes, becoming the first golfer to win the event three times. Haas, the winner in 2007 and 2008, led by three shots after shooting 65 in the second round and made it stand up with a final round 5-under 66. His five-shot margin of victory was the largest of the season on the Champions Tour. The win was the 16th of Haas’ Champions Tour career.

Roger Chapman won the Senior PGA Championship, holding on for a two-stroke victory after leading by five shots through 54 holes. The win was the first Champions Tour title and first major championship for the 53-yearold Englishman.

2

Stats and recaps courtesy of the PGA of Australia, the ALPG and Titleist. Follow Titleist on Twitter: twitter.com/titleist and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ titleistanz

John Merrick

Total -9

R1 70

R2 68

R3 R4 STR 67 66 271

-8

66

69

69 68 272

KOREA PGA

JinHo Choi captured the Meritz Solmoro Open, edging KyungNam Kang. Choi, who trailed Kang by one shot heading into the final round, closed with a 2-under par 69 for an 8-under 276 victory total, two shots clear of Kang, who shot a 1-over 72.

EUROPEAN TOUR Nordea Masters Pos Ctry Player Lee Westwood 1

SOUTH AFRICA

Jake Roos carded a final round 9-under par 63 to tie Justin Harding at 17-under par 199 in regulation at the Lombard Insurance Classic. Roos went on to win the first playoff hole to secure his second victory of the season following his Platinum Classic title earlier this year.

Get expanded content on the Inside Golf Digital App for iPads http://bit.ly/HSdId8

ISPS Handa Wales Open Total

R1

R2

R3 R4 STR

Total -19

R1 68

R2 64

R3 R4 STR 68 69 269

Pos Ctry Player 1

Thongchai Jaidee

-6

71

68

67 72 278

T2

Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano

-5

69

74

69 67 279

Ryan Palmer

-7

74

66

67 66 273

2

Ross Fisher

-14

70

68

65 71 274t

T3

Chad Campbell

-7

68

67

70 68 273

T2

Thomas Bjorn

-5

71

72

68 68 279

T3

Davis Love III

-7

T3

Sergio Garcia

-13

69

69

70 67 275

T2

Richard Sterne

-5

73

69

69 68 279

T3

Mikko Ilonen

-13

70

69

68 68 275

T3 Peter Hanson Australia/NZ Scores Marcus Fraser T14

-13

67

68

69 71 275

T2

Joost Luiten

-5

74

69

64 72 279

-9

72

70

65 72 279

Australia/NZ Scores T18 Brett Rumford

1

74

70

70 71 285

T30

Scott Strange

-6

71

69

72 70 282

T35

Matthew Zions

4

76

71

68 73 288

T38

Richard Green

-5

72

69

68 74 283

T42

Marcus Fraser

5

70

77

71 71 289

74

Scott Hend

19

80

66

70 87 303

CUT

Michael Campbell

6

73

75

-

-

148

CUT

Andrew Dodt

7

75

74

-

-

149

68

68

68 69 273

T3 Nick O’Hern Australia/NZ Scores T7 Robert Allenby

-7

70

67

67 69 273

-6

68

70

67 69 274

T42

Gavin Coles

2

70

72

71 69 282

T49

Stuart Appleby

3

72

68

73 70 283

T49

Danny Lee

3

69

70

71 73 283

T68

Steven Bowditch

7

74

66

73 74 287

60

Daniel Gaunt

1

71

72

72 74 289

T74

Mathew Goggin

12

70

71

73 78 292

T61

Andrew Dodt

2

71

69

74 76 290

Brett Rumford

3

69

71

74 77 291

CUT

Nathan Green

4

71

73

-

- 144

T66

CUT

Matt Jones

6

73

73

-

- 146

CUT

David McKenzie

E

72

72

-

-

144

CUT

Richard Green

9

76

75

-

-

151

CUT

Peter Lonard

13

76

77

-

- 153

CUT

Scott Hend

1

73

72

-

-

145

CUT

Scott Strange

9

81

70

-

-

151

OneAsia Order of Merit

PGA Tour Order of Merit

E-Z-GO Legends Tour OOM

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

(Following the SK Telecom Open)

Kim Bi-o (KOR) US$341,634.87 Nick Cullen (AUS) US$180,686 Park Sang-hyun (KOR) US$131,453.75 Ryu Hyun-woo (KOR) US$110,236.42 David Oh (USA) US$61,127.85 Michael Long (NZL) US$58,608.57 Joo Heung-chol (KOR) US$57,128.52 Rory Hie (INA) US$46,370.61 Lee Sang-hee (KOR) US$45,729.02 Lee Tae-hee (KOR) US$45,576

Webb Simpson trusts full bag of Titleist equipment to capture the U.S. Open Championship for his first major title.

©2012 Acushnet Company. Based upon results through 19/6/2012 Titleist Customer Service: 1800 660 535

July 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Webb Simpson trusted a full bag of Titleist equipment to capture his first major title at the demanding Olympic Club in San Francisco. Simpson, who was six strokes behind the leaders and tied for 29th heading into the weekend, closed with consecutive two-under par 68s on the weekend to post a one-over par 281 victory total. Simpson finished one shot clear of Michael Thompson and Graeme McDowell, who each had led the tournament at one point. Simpson’s win is the third of his career, and vaulted him to No. 5 in the Official World Golf Rankings.

See the full story and results on page 30.

Luke Donald returned to the No. 1 position in the Official World Golf Ranking after successfully defending his BMW PGA Championship title at Wentworth Club. Donald closed with a 4-under par 68 en route to a 15-under, 273 victory total. He finished four shots clear of two players, including Paul Lawrie.

The win marks Donald’s sixth victory in the last 15 months and makes him only the third player to win The European Tour’s flagship event two years in a row. With the win, it is the fourth time Donald has ascended to World No. 1.

T3

INSPIRING PERFORMANCE

24

EUROPEAN TOUR Webb Simpson (Photo: USGA/Jed Jacobsohn)

JAPAN TOUR

Pos Ctry Player 1 Dustin Johnson

Yani Tseng (averaged points 16.90) Stacy Lewis (8.30) Na Yeon Choi (7.83) Shanshan Feng (7.73) Suzann Pettersen (7.70)

James Hahn, who started the final round four shots behind the overnight leader, earned his first career Nationwide Tour victory when he topped Scott Parel with a birdie on the second hole of a sudden death playoff at the Rex Hospital Open. Hahn closed with a 4-under par 67 to join Parel at 13-under 271 after 72 holes.

Zach Johnson won the Crowne Plaza Invitational for the second time in three years. Johnson, who trailed Jason Dufner by one shot heading into the final round, closed with a 2-over 72 for a 12-under 268 victory total, one shot clear of Dufner, who shot a 4-over 74. The win marks the eighth career PGA TOUR victory for Johnson, who advanced to No. 3 in the FedEx Cup standings.

FedEx St. Jude Classic

Top 5 Rolex Rankings 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

NATIONWIDE TOUR

IN BRIEF PGA TOUR

(as of June 2012)

Michael Hendry (NZL) $72,852.12 Andrew Martin (VIC) $38,640.14 Mark Brown (NZL) $29,152.64 Andrew Tschudin (VIC) $22,114.11 Scott Arnold (NSW) $20,942.89 Ryan Fox (NZL) $19,836.23 Gareth Paddison (NZL) $19,066.35 Brody Ninyette (WA) $17,972.44 Nick Cullen (SA) $17,497.94 Jin Jeong (KOR) $17,119.36

Michael Harwood (VIC) $21,431.75 Rodger Davis (QLD) $17,657.39 Peter R. Fowler (NSW) $17,444.13 Jim H Lapsley (NZL) $14,263.16 David G Merriman (NSW) $13,328.09 Mike Zilko (NSW) $11,187.28 Kym Olsen (VIC) $11,114.08 Garry L. Merrick (SA) $10,915.31 Hugh F. Dolan (QLD) $7,293.15 David B Hill (VIC) $6,770.88

2012 U.S. Open Ball Count

103 17

View it in action @

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OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP Preview

Monster links awaits Open contenders David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

KNOWN as the “monsters links”, Royal Lytham and St Annes, host of the 141st Open Championship from July 19-22, has provided plenty of drama down the years.

In 1958, a gatekeeper at Royal Lytham and St Annes failed to recognise Australian Peter Thomson, who already had three Open titles under his belt.

Wondering if Thomson was a player, official or spectator, the gateman asked: “What are you?”

“Presbyterian,” Thomson replied. Of course, history shows he won his fourth Open at the English championship course.

The late Seve Ballesteros, the only man to win twice at Royal Lytham, excited the fans with his brilliance.

In 1979, he famously hit his tee shot into a car park on the 16th hole, but he still made a birdie and went on to win.

Nine years later (1988), Seve was back at Royal Lytham and he produced an Oscar-winning performance when he out-duelled two Nicks – Price and Faldo.

Seve, the matador, hit some booming drives, flashy iron shots and putts that just kept finding the bottom of the cup.

The roar that went up when Seve played a

magical greenside chip to edge out Nick Price reverberated for miles.

Of course, Royal Lytham and St Annes has provided plenty of other great moments from the history of golf ’s oldest championship.

In 1974, Gary Player’s ball came to rest up against the Victorian clubhouse wall forcing the South African to putt left-handed, which he did brilliantly to win the title.

And who will ever forget when, in 2001, Welshman Ian Woosman, who was in a share of the lead received a two-stroke penalty for having too many clubs in his bag. The mistake cost Woosie £225,000 and possibly the Open title. It also cost his caddie £20,000 and his job.

He still managed to shoot a final round 71, but laid-back American David Duval lifted the claret jug.

As an amateur in 1926, Bobby Jones captured the first Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes.

There’s a plaque close to the spot on the 17th where he hit his second shot onto the green from a rough, sandy lie in the final round. The mashie he used to hit the shot is displayed in the clubhouse.

Bob Charles put New Zealand on the golfing map when he won at Royal Lytham and St Annes in 1963.

In the 10 occasions Royal Lytham has hosted the Open, only three Americans have triumphed there – Bobby Jones (1926), Tom Lehman (1996) Duval (2001).

Brit Tony Jacklin won there in 1969 and South African Bobby Locke was successful in 1952.

The golf course is extremely tough – only

Royal Lytham and St Annes, host of the 141st Open Championship this month.

(Photographs by Alan C.Birch) Carnoustie on the Open rota is thought to be tougher.

In fact, Bernard Darwin describes the challenges in his book, The Golf Courses of the British Isles: “The trouble, besides the rough grass and pot bunkers, consists of sand-hills, both natural and artificial.

“To build an artificial sand-hill is no light task and it is characteristic of the whole-hearted enthusiasm of the golfers of St Anne’s that they have raised several of these terrifying monuments of industry.” Darwin penned that in 1910.

The greens are firm and fast, or as Darwin once said when playing a match there against a competent putter: “The truly-struck putt comes on and on over that wonderfully smooth turf

and flops into the hole with a sickening little thud and there we are left gasping and robbed of our prey.”

Royal Lytham and St Annes is unique because it starts with a par-3 – the only venue on the Open Championship circuit to do so.

In 2001, Woosnam hit a magnificent tee shot at the 206-yard hole and drained the putt for birdie – or so he thought. That’s when he discovered he had 15 clubs in the bag and was penalised.

The par-70 layout has been lengthened by 181 yards (165m) to 7086 yards (6479m) for this year’s Open.

There have been changes made to the seventh, 10th and 11th holes. The 10th is 51 yards longer than it was 11 years ago, while the seventh is 35

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OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP Preview

THE OPEN – BY THE NUMBERS

The 17th hole, with the plaque commemorating the spot where Bobby Jones hit to the green in the 1926 Open Championship. (Inset: The Bobby Jones plaque) yards longer and has a completely new green. The 11th now measures 601 yards – 65 yards longer than last time.

The only holes that have not been changed are the par-4 fourth and par-3 12th.

The other challenge for the players is there are more than 200 bunkers to negotiate.

Another major change is spectators can bring their mobile phones to the course.

The Royal and Ancient first banned mobile phones in 2007, but this year will adopt more relaxed rules with designated sites where fans can use them.

This year, 10 Australians (as of press time) will attempt to dial in a win – Robert Allenby, Aaron Baddeley, Greg Chalmers, Jason Day, Nick Cullen, Ashley Hall, Geoff Ogilvy, Adam Scott, John Senden and Aaron Townsend. Will one of them become just the fifth Aussie in history to grab Open Championship glory? As usual, it is

anyone’s guess who will lift the Claret Jug in the end, but one thing is for certain, they will need to play their absolute best to conquer the Monster Links of Royal Lytham and St Annes. • FOOTNOTE 1: Peter Thomson had to survive a 36-hole playoff to win the Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St Annes in 1958. Thomson and Welshman Dave Thomas finished the 72 holes regulation tied on 278. Next day, they played off and Thomson triumphed after carding 68-71 – 139 to Thomas’ 69-74 – 143.

1 left-hander has won The Open Championship – Kiwi Bob Charles in 1963.

3 is the number of decades spanning Gary Player’s Open victories – 1959, 1968 and 1974.

4 is the number of successive victories by Tom Morris Jr (1868-1872). There was no championship in 1871. Four Aussies have won the Open – Peter Thomson, Kel Nagle, Greg Norman and Ian Baker-Finch.

6 is the record number of Open victories by Harry Vardon between 1896-1914.

13 countries can claim at least one of their players has won an Open – the US, Scotland, England, Australia, South Africa, Jersey, Spain, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Argentina, France, New Zealand and Zimbabwe.

14 years old was The Open’s youngest competitor, Tom Morris Jr, in 1865.

30 pounds ($48) is the price of a ticket to enter Royal Lytham and St Annes on Wednesday’s practice day.

34 Americans, more than any other country, will make it to the first tee for this year’s Open Championship. South Africa is next with 11.

Australia has 10.

41 – Scotland and the United States share the most number of Open victories, 41 by each country. The US has had 26 different winners

and Scotland 22.

46 is the record number of times Gary Player has contested The Open.

60 pounds ($96) is the price of a daily ticket for The Open this year.

74 years old was The Open’s oldest competitor, Tom Morris Snr, in 1896.

79 is the number of days Royal Lytham and St Annes is closed to the public prior to The Open.

123 yards (112m) is the shortest hole in Open history – the eighth hole at Royal Troon.

165 pounds ($264) is the midweek green fees at Royal Lytham and St Annes. $395 on Saturdays.

230 pounds ($368) is the admission cost to the course for the week of The Open.

250 pounds ($400) is the cost of a reserved grandstand seat at the 18th green. This does not include the entry fee.

267 is the record winning total in The Open’s history set by Greg Norman in 1993.

618 yards (565m) is the longest hole in Open history – the 14th at St Andrews.

1860 was the year The Open Championship was first played.

7086 yards (6479m) is the length of the Royal and Lytham and St Annes par-70 course.

5,000,000 pounds ($7,961,504) is the prize purse for this year’s Open Championship.

FOOTNOTE 2: Going into the final round of The Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes in 1969, Briton Tony Jacklin found a note from friend and fellow professional Bert Yancey on his locker. The note contained one word – “tempo”. Jacklin held his nerve – and tempo – to become the first Englishman to win The Open in 18 years.

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27

section header

Open Champion still David Cox

ed@insidegolf.com.au

Destiny is an overused cliché in sport but at last summer’s Open Championships you would have been hard-pressed to find anyone who would deny they were watching great sporting scriptwriting in the sky. Having not finished in the top ten of a major for a decade, Darren Clarke’s time of challenging for the big ones appeared to be long behind him, but the Golfing Gods had yet another twist in store.

“I still don’t know how I did it that afternoon.

If I did I would have played a little bit more that way subsequent to winning the Open!” Clarke tells me, shaking his head. “That week I was just very calm and collected but despite what people say, it wasn’t one of those things where it came completely out of nowhere. I’d won 10 or 20 times around the world before in my career and the last round of the Open just felt almost as though it was my time. It was just one of those things, I’d served my time, I’d served my apprenticeship and it was just given to me. I played pretty good, a bit of luck but that’s the way the sports world goes whether it’s football, tennis or whatever. You’ve got to get a bit of luck to win and having served 20 odd years on tour it was just my time and I feel very lucky, very fortunate that I’m sitting here talking to you about winning it! It’s been a long road, a long journey and I got there in the end. I had to persevere, persevere and persevere and eventually I got what I thought I could do.”

Since winning the Open, Clarke’s life has been a whirlwind of award ceremonies, and we’re meeting at another such glitzy occasion. Our interview takes

place just after Clarke has picked a Laureus World Comeback of the Year gong for 2011 and the big Ulsterman is struggling to keep his emotions in check after receiving one of sport’s ‘Oscars.’

“I’m a huge sports fan you know,” he says (like many sports professionals, Clarke is happiest when it comes to discussing who he’s been watching as a fellow armchair fan). “In January I watched Djokovic beat Nadal in the final in five sets to win in Australia. He almost collapsed but he got there.

The will to win was just unmatchable, it was just incredible to do what he did. I’m a huge sports fan no matter what field it is, I just love watching how these guys perform. For me to be in the company of these guys and to win a Laureus Sports Award was a huge honour for me. In golf I grew up watching Seve (Ballesteros) and Greg Norman but I’ve watched all of these guys on the TV doing what they’ve done and for me personally to receive an award was just huge.”

But while Clarke and the rest of us marvel at Djokovic’s breathtaking feats over the past year, his three majors in a season simply cannot match the heartwarming glow which enveloped most golf fans after seeing Clarke finally winning the Open at the 20th attempt, long after most pundits had written him off. But after a decade went by since he finished third in 2001 did Clarke himself doubt that he could ever achieve his goal?

Clarke skips around answering the question directly with all the expertise of a politician. “Well in my heart of hearts I still 100% knew that I had the game to win. Did I know that I was going to do it? Well that’s a slightly different question but deep down did I think I was good enough?

Yeah of course I did. I have no second thoughts saying that.”

And after everything he’s been through, having debated whether to quit the game for good back in 2007, does he ever sit back and simply scratch his head in wonder at how his story continues to run and run?

“That’s a very fair question. I’ve been through the mill in my personal life the past few years but

you’ve got to battle on and sometimes good comes out of bad and I think I’m a pretty good example of that,” he says. “I think challenges are in front of everybody, in whatever walk of life you choose. If you succumb and give in, that’s not the way forward to a brighter future. The world of sport it gives and takes, you know, and while it’s taken from me in

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dares to dream many different ways, it’s given me an awful lot back and I’ve got to be grateful for that.”

“To be honest, the thing which has made it all worthwhile has been feeling the support of the people, both at the K Club in 2006 and last year, walking to the 18th with a three shot lead in the Open Championships, the biggest and best tournament in the world. The love and just everything they showed me as I was walking down to that last hole was just very, very special. It wasn’t just the roar, it was the compassion, the respect. Everything they showed me as I walked down to that last hole made it even more special. I will never forget it. A lot of people there were of course aware of my circumstances and the feeling I got from the crowd and everything about it was simply incredible. I don’t think in all my time playing golf I will ever experience a situation where that will be replicated.”

However since that euphoric peak, Clarke’s golf has been mediocre at best and the rest of 2011 passed in a bit of a bubble of media engagements and missed cuts. So much so that it took until the December off-season before he was able to sit down and think, ‘what now?’

“It was one of those things where it took me a long time to appreciate what I had managed to achieve” he says. “After I won, I was so busy with the media and I was just trying to behave myself and not drink an awful lot! Trying to do the right thing, you know. It wasn’t until I was sitting over Christmas lunch with the Claret Jug sitting there beside me, serving wine from it that I thought, ‘This is ok, I got there. This is my dream, this is what everyone plays golf for.’ And it was a funny scenario and it hit me that of course I want more majors, I always want more. I don’t want to rest on one even though my results would suggest that that will be the case but I want to play better, I

want to put myself in the position where I can be in contention again.”

Having spent the past four years watching the Masters from Port Ballantrae while nursing a pint of his beloved Guinness, Clarke finally got the chance to return this year but after shooting 81 on day two, his tournament was over almost before it had begun. But then again, Clarke’s game has always been best suited to links golf rather than the lush greens and tight pins of Augusta National. Before last year’s triumph, his previous three top-five finishes in majors had all come at the Open and Clarke is putting the hard yards in to be ready for the 2012 championships at Royal Lytham and St Annes. Having finished third there in 2001, he knows what it takes to contend.

“I could be lazy and just sit around and say ‘well

I’ve won the Open what else is there to do?’ but that’s not for me,” he says. “If it was, I wouldn’t be I’m in the gym every morning and practising every morning. I guess I like having a bit of fun and enjoying myself but I want more, I crave more and that’s why I’m doing what I’m doing. That’s why I have all my people around me and we meet every month and ask ‘Why is my putting not getting better, why is my physical fitness not getting better, why is my swing not getting better, why are my stats not looking better, why’s Chubby [Clarke’s manager Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler] not doing more?’ That’s just what I do, I want more. I’m not comfortable sitting looking at what I’ve done. I think I’ve got an awful lot more in me and I’m doing everything I can to get myself back in contention again.” •

VIDEO INTERVIEW:

Senden prepares for Open challenge

We recently caught up with top Aussie ballstriker John Senden and discussed his chances at the upcoming Open Championship to be played this month at Royal Lytham and St Annes.

“My game is in good shape,” Senden says. “The British Open golf suits me: good ballstriking and the bouncy courses helps me out. I’ve never played Royal Lytham before, so I’m looking forward to going there and challenging the best players in the world. If I play really well, keep playing my own game, keep on believing in myself, I’m hopefully a chance.”

Senden, who finished as the top Australian (T10) at the recent US Open, is one of the best ballstrikers on tour, and has been rocketing up the leaderboards lately, as well as the World Golf rankings, due to solid, consistent play.

“I’m really enjoying the game of golf right now, and I’m playing my best. I feel like I need to keep believing, keep building the belief and I feel like there is still fire in the belly to go out there and win these golf tournaments.” • See the entire interview with John Senden on our website, or via the Inside Golf App for iPads, available in the App Store.

www.insidegolf.com.au | June 2012

29

on tour

US Open: Inside the ropes Richard Fellner richard@insidegolf.com.au

AS IS OFTEN the case with a US Open, the star of the show for the 112th running of the tournament was not one of the players. Sure, the eventual winner, Webb Simpson, was certainly in the spotlight. So too were final-round-leaders Jim Furyk and Graeme McDowell. But not even a resurgent Tiger Woods, a 14-year-old qualifier nor a young amateur by the name of Beau Hossler could upstage the REAL star of this show.

No, the top billing for “Golf ’s Toughest Test” in 2012 must go to the Lakes Course at San Francisco’s Olympic Club, which brought the world’s greatest golfers to their knees.

Over the four days, player after player succumbed to the morale-busting, mind-warping course, which featured long doglegs, reverse-cambered fairways, ultra-slick greens, and the trademark US Open rough – thick, deep and as unwieldy as Rickie Fowler’s hair. Despite near-perfect weather conditions for most of the week, no player finished the tournament below par, with winner Simpson only managing a +1 total for the victory. It was a case of history repeating itself, as in the five US Opens held at The Lakes Course, only four players have posted under-par totals: Billy Casper (-2), Arnold Palmer (-2), Scott Simpson (-3) and Tom Watson (-2).

The first six holes of the Lakes Course proved to be the undoing of many rounds. The field was a massive 1109-over-par on those holes during the tournament. The rest of the course wasn’t much help either. Only two holes on the entire course played below par: the par-4 288-yard 7th (3.76 avg) and the par-5 522-yard 17th (4.15 avg). The average score

Inside Golf - the only Australian golf publication with a full-time staffer at this year’s US Open - brings you the sights and sounds from “Golf ’s Toughest Test”.

Webb Simpson overcame a 6-stroke Friday deficit to snatch the US Open Championship from the hands of Jim Furyk and Graeme McDowell for the par-70 course: 73.84. Total shots over par for the 156-player field: 1,753.

The crowd “vibe” throughout the weekend was similar to that feeling you get when a child overinflates a balloon to near-bursting. You know something big and loud is going to happen any minute, you can’t decide if you want to watch it or cover your face, and you know someone is going to walk away crying.

In truth, Saturday’s “moving day” third round was a bit more exciting than Sunday’s “grinding day”. On Saturday, the crowds were roaring, the putts were dropping, the sun was shining and players were fistpumping. But on Sunday, San Francisco’s thick fog enveloped both the course and the overall mood.

As the temperature dropped, so did many players’ chances, with only the exceptional ballstrikers managing to grind it out. Had it not been for a hooked 3-wood by Jim Furyk off the tee at 16, the tournament was building up for a potential Monday playoff, and the crowd could sense it.

In the end, Webb Simpson emerged from almost nowhere. With the media spotlight firmly on the battle that had been raging between leaders Furyk and McDowell all day, not to mention a tame Tiger and an errant Lee Westwood, Simpson – who’d hardly had a word spoken about him by the media in the previous three days – fired off a string of birdies on 6, 7, 8 and 10, plus a run of eight consecutive pars to finish with a brilliant 68.

Inside Golf has been following Simpson since he made his debut on tour. Now considered to be one of golf’s elite, he has three victories on the PGA Tour (including a Major) as well as a Presidents Cup victory under his belt. Keep your eye on this kid!

And as for our Aussies, there were some really good signs, even if we didn’t nab a major victory (again). John Senden battled brilliantly, finishing a solid T10. Senden is playing the best golf of his career, and we expect great things leading up to the Open Championship this month. He pipped Adam Scott, who finished T15. After a disappointing 76 in Round 1, Scott’s 70-70-70 finish proved that he still has a solid game. Young Alistair Presnell was impressive in his Major debut. With a first round 70, Presnell found himself on the first page of the leaderboard on Thursday. After a bit of a stumble on Friday and Saturday, he bounced back to post another 70 on Sunday, cementing a T29. Not too shabby.

Overall, this year’s US Open had a little bit of everything. Except an Aussie champion. Just wait ‘till next year!

John Senden finished best among the Aussies, with a solid T10

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July 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

on tour Final Scoreboard 1

Webb Simpson

1

72

73

68

68

281

T2

Michael Thompson

2

66

75

74

67

282

T2

Graeme McDowell

2

69

72

68

73

282

T4

Padraig Harrington

3

74

70

71

68

283

T4

David Toms

3

69

70

76

68

283

T4

Jason Dufner

3

72

71

70

70

283

T4

John Peterson

3

71

70

72

70

283

T4

Jim Furyk

3

70

69

70

74

283

The par-3 8th hole was popular for viewing the golf – and breaking spectators’ ankles.

Australia/NewZealand Scores John Senden

5

72

73

68

72

285

Adam Scott

6

76

70

70

70

286

T29

Alistair Presnell

9

70

74

75

70

289

T59

Jason Day

15

75

71

76

73

295

74

78

70

Rod Pampling

19

74

73

CUT

Geoff Ogilvy

10

76

74

150

299

CUT

Brendan Jones

11

76

75

151

CUT

Anthony Summers

12

76

76

152

CUT

Michael Campbell

13

79

74

153

CUT

Aaron Baddeley

14

75

79

154

The trees gobbled up a few balls along the way

Glen D. Nager, President of USGA, with Jack Nicklaus and Mike Davis USGA executive director, during the presentation of the new Nicklaus Medal, and a new wing at the USGA Museum.

Quotable Quotes

“It beat me up today. That golf course is too tough for me.” - Bubba Watson, following his first round at Olympic Golf Club. (Bubba eventually missed the cut) “I shot 8-over, so not very good. You could answer these yourself.” Watson again, when asked about playing from the rough.

“I’m pretty sure no one hit as sh-tty a shot as I did. I have no one to blame but myself.” - Jim Furyk, on his duck-hooked 3-wood on the 16th on Sunday.

“Kind of neat, isn’t it? Take an old guy and honour him. I think that’s pretty nice.”

- Jack Nicklaus, at Wednesday’s USGA Media conference announcing the new Nicklaus Medal, and the Nicklaus addition to the USGA museum.

“A lot of people say, ‘this golf course doesn’t suit my game’. This is the most ridiculous statement. The golf course is not supposed to suit your game. You’re supposed to suit your game to the golf course.” Nicklaus again.

“Well, they’re just a couple of years apart. One, I was a young kid and the other I was an old man 46, an old man. I’d like to run back to 46. I’d just like to be able to run, actually.” Nicklaus again, comparing winning his first Major in 1962 and his last major in 1986.

“I never really wrapped my mind around winning. This place is so demanding, and so all I was really concerned about was keeping the ball in front of me and making pars.” - Webb Simpson, following his victory.

“One of my thoughts on the back nine was I don’t know how Tiger has won 14 of these things, because... the pressure. I couldn’t feel my legs most of the back nine.”

- Simpson again.

“15-20 shots. Maybe more.” – a member of Olympic, a 14-handicapper, when I asked him how much harder the course was playing versus normal/everyday conditions.

JO PA IN Y N LA O TE W, R

T10 T15

McIlroy, Johnson take to the diamond Prior to teeing off at the US Open, Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy played a little baseball, courtesy of the San Francisco Giants. McIlroy was first off the mound at AT&T Park on Tuesday, tossing out the ceremonial first pitch for Irish Heritage Night. They even made a bobblehead/nodder doll with McIlroy’s likeness to celebrate the event. McIlroy’s throw was solid, if wide right. We recommend he stick with golf.

Johnson followed the following day - blasting drives with his R11S into the watery McCovey Cove from home plate, reaching 344 yards. He also got the chance to throw out the pre-game first pitch. Not quite as successful as McIlroy, Johnson’s throw bounced halfway to the plate.

See the video of Johnson “hitting it out of the park” on YouTube (http://youtu.be/PbhtHRJAQuM), or on our Inside Golf iPad App. Quiros Aces a Par-4 While John Petersen scored an Ace on the par-3 13th during the week, Callaway Golf staffer Alvaro Quiros aced the Par-4 288yard seventh hole during a practice round.

Using a 9.5 degree Callaway RAZR Fit Driver, Quiros drove the green and his HEX Black Tour ball politely rolled straight into the hole.

“I knew I hit the ball well, but thought that we would find it in the middle of the green,” said Quiros. “Then when I saw everyone in the stands jump to their feet and scream, I figured it must have hit the pin and be close. When they all remained on their feet and continued to cheer as we walked towards the green, I realised that something special had happened.”

See the video online at http://youtu.be/GvAtgCBKXek 8th Hole hurts more than scores The par-3 8th hole has a built-in ampitheatre near the green.

That, plus its proximity to the clubhouse as well as the good view of the 7th green and 9th tee proved to be a popular location for the crowds. Unfortunately, the ampitheatre’s grassy hill was also quite slippery, leading to nearly a dozen spectator injuries over the week (broken bones, twisted ankles and the like.)

Photos by USGA and Richard Fellner

View our full picture gallery and video presentation from inside the ropes at the US Open: www.insidegolf.com.au, or via our Inside Golf iPad App.

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www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2012

31

women

Wendy’s back in the swing David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

IF Wendy Doolan ever gets back in the winners’ circle, don’t expect her to spend too much time savouring the moment.

Sure, she’ll accept the back slaps and do the media interviews, but after dodging a bullet when diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, Doolan now treasures life a little more.

These days Doolan, who plays on the US LPGA Tour, takes nothing for granted.

“Things (breast cancer and a shoulder injury) have taken me away from the golf course, but the thing that I have learnt is every moment counts because you never know when things are going to change,” she said philosophically.

“I enjoy what I am doing and make the most of every opportunity I am given.

“My game is improving step by step, but it’s taking time. Everything is getting better by the day.

“I am healthy and cancer free. God gives me the strength to get up every day and be the best I can be so I am pushing hard on my fitness and my goals. You just do what you can to get healthy.”

I remind Doolan that she is 43 years old and ask if retirement from the tour is in her sights.

“Am I 43?” she laughed. “I have a good solid foundation where I live and my husband Philip is very supportive of my golf. Right now, playing golf is my passion.

“I’m also trying to get my body into the shape it needs to be in week in, week out on the tour.”

This year, Doolan’s goal is to finish inside the top-80 on the money list.

“My personal goal is to retain my relationship with God while I travel. It’s important to enjoy the journey and the daily process.

“After being on and off the golf course for past five years with injury and other things that have happened, I really do appreciate the process now.

I enjoy getting up and working on my game. I enjoy trying to be the best I can be.”

TOP SHOT: Wendy Doolan is back doing what she loves best after a number of serious setbacks.

Blessed with a strong long game, Doolan is working hard on improving her short game.

Since turning professional in 1991, the Sydney-born golfer has used those skills and her decision-making ability to win a number of big events including the Evian Masters on the Ladies European Tour.

“Winning means a lot of different things to different people,” she said. “For me, I was just pleased I won a few tournaments.”

When pressed, Doolan said: “Look, I don’t like talking about myself very much.”

Doolan had an impressive amateur career. She won numerous state titles, represented Australia seven times internationally and was the British Amateur Championship runner-up in 1991.

When she was sidelined with a rotator cuff injury, Doolan spent time helping young students develop their game.

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“I coached at a junior golf academy for past two years (2010 and 2011) and I enjoy that,” she said.

“I had the opportunity to work with kids 14 to 20 years on the mental side of the game, course strategies and how to manage their tendencies and emotions.

“I enjoyed that and it’s something I will consider when I do give up playing.”

Away from the spotlight, Doolan enjoys a game of tennis, boating and spending time outdoors.

I ask her if she has any hidden talents. She laughs, but decides to reveal something personal about herself.

“I’m good at finding shells,” she said almost embarrassed. “A friend and I like to hunt for shells when we take a boat to Caladesi Island (Florida).

“I like collecting shells and fill up the garden with them.” •

For Sarah, it’s one step at a time

FALLING down a flight of stairs can be catastrophic, but falling up a flight of stairs can be just as calamitous.

Just ask professional golfer Sarah Kemp, who did just that in the lead-up to an important event on the Ladies European Tour.

“I was running up a marble staircase and I tried to take two stairs at a time and I missed and broke my foot,” she told Inside Golf.

“At first, it didn’t hurt and I hobbled up the stairs and came back down to have dinner.

“The next morning my right foot didn’t look very good and that was the day before the start of the Ladies German Open.

“I tried to put on my golf shoe and couldn’t so I went to hospital and it was broken. I was shocked because I wasn’t in a great deal of pain.”

Kemp, 26, returned home to Sydney for surgery to repair the damage to the fifth metatarsal bone.

“It’s been a setback and I won’t be able to play for six to eight weeks,” said Kemp, who plays both the US LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour.

“I plan to play the Irish Open, which is in the first week of August.

“It’s a shame because I was playing quite well and in a good position on the money list.”

She will now have to re-set her goals for the remainder of the year.

“As soon as I go back I will re-evaluate and access my goals and go from there.”

Until then, Kemp is spending plenty of time on the couch and internet.

“I’m also doing the house chores, cleaning out my wardrobe, throwing out shoes and catching up with family.”

When I interviewed Kemp two years ago, her goal was to be world number one and I ask her if that’s still a goal.

“Yes, definitely,” she said. “I am only 26 and don’t feel like it’s too late. I definitely think I can still reach that goal.

“I just need to be more consistent. For me, consistency is the key.

“At the Australian Open I shot four-under on day one, six-over and then had two steady rounds to lose by four shots. That’s been happening quite a lot this year.

“I know I can put good rounds together and just need to work out what I am doing wrong when I have one bad round.” •

2 Day Golf School at Moss Vale Golf Club Receive expert tuition from club professional Robert Kennedy in all facets of the game, while staying on course at the beautiful Dormie House.

Package Includes: • 3 Nights accommodation • Morning tea & Lunch on • 3 Buffet Breakfasts Thursday & Friday • 3 Dinners • Professional Tuition Dates: 25th, 26th, 27th July; 21st, 22nd, 23rd November 2012.

Cost: $599 p/p twin share, $699 single Bookings through Dormie House phone: (02) 4868 1800

*Group sizes are limited to 8 people

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Your complete guide to golf cars, buggies and vehicles

Yamaha fuel-injected petrol golf cart

Grasshopper SE Series 2

From buggies to motorised golf cars and full-service utility/ fleet vehicles, we give you the comprehensive guide to the hottest “wheels” in town.

Golf cars and buggies have come a long way over the years. Gone are the noisy and bulky three-wheeled, handle-steered, petrol-hungry cars of yesterday.

Today’s vehicles and push carts are sleek, featurepacked machines that make getting your gear around the course simple and fun.

This month, we look at the top golf vehicles and buggies to help you get around the course, whether as a single purchase for an individual golfer, or for an entire fleet for a club/course. We’ll show you the latest vehicles and units to hit the market, as well as a few tips to choosing the right one for your game/course.

First, here are a few general tips to buying a buggy or golf car: 1. Push, Electric or Petrol?

You have many more choices these days when it comes to cars and buggies. The push-buggy – long the workhorse of the links – offers manual and batterypowered options that suit nearly any need. They are light and compact, and generally very affordable. Golf cars and ride-ons are also highly advanced, but before you buy one you should ask yourself a few questions.

How long, for example, will the unit/vehicle last on a single charge/fill? How and where will you source

the power/petrol. Where will you plug it in to charge it? If petrol-powered, then consider the process (and costs) for filling it up. When debating petrol vs electric cars, also consider which type of unit will have fewer repairs and/or maintenance necessary.

2. Your course If you play most of your golf at one course, then remember that some clubs restrict the use of certain buggies/cars, so before you purchase anything, ring up the club and make sure that there are no potential problems. Even some push-buggies can be subject to restrictions (wide wheels/slicks are often preferred for protecting the greens, etc). Also, make sure that your vehicle/unit is suited to your course (whether it is hilly, or muddy in winter, etc).

3. Dealers and Warranties When buying anything that has a motor/battery (etc) it is always best to go through a dealer (where possible) or a trusted retail outlet/pro-shop. Ensure the unit comes with a warranty. Also, before you buy, investigate the availability and ease (and potential costs) of getting the vehicle serviced or repaired in the future.

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7 Gateway Drive, Labrador Queensland 4215 Repayment details. This repayment is intended as a guide only. An exact quote must be obtained at time of application. The weekly equivalent, is based on a $7999.50 consumer loan over 60 months at an interest rate of 12.75%. Finance to approved applicants only, fees and charges have been calculated into this estimate, the comparison rate is 13.83% and is based on a secure loan of $30,000 for 5 years.

MGI Hunter R200

4. Storage and transportation Today’s push-carts and battery-operated buggies are light, sleek and ultra compact, making transportation and storage a breeze. As you get to the bigger units, however, things are a bit different. So while a club may have room for a fleet of large vehicles, a lone golfer purchasing a golf car should weigh a few options. Can you store the vehicle at your club? Is there a place for it at home? Is it under cover/protected and secure? How will you get it to/from the course? What is the cost for a trailer? Do you have room for a trailer at home?

5. Test drive the vehicle (for ride-ons) Treat a golf car as you would an automobile.

Always ask for a test drive, as there is no better way to evaluate the suitability of the vehicle.

Regardless of if it is a new or used vehicle, check that there is enough oomph to get up hills, and enough braking power to slow it down in a hurry.

Check the steering for slipping/response, and (for a used vehicle) make sure the wheels, motor and all aspects of the vehicle are in good condition.

Make sure that the batteries are new/good, with clean connectors and a good charger. Also, check all wiring, hoses and all moving parts to make sure they are in good condition.

Remember, the more research, time and care you take up front, the better your overall experience will be, and the longer your vehicle/unit will last.

Condor TR1

EMC LSV Golf Cart

Yamaha Motors produces industry’s first fuelinjected golf car Yamaha Motors have released the first ever fuel injected petrol golf car to add to their current model line up of electric and petrol models.

This is an industry first and will make some of current users of electric cars and old technology petrol cars have a good look at what they are using to play their rounds of golf or just get around their resort or property. Private users and golf courses are all looking at running costs and saving money, whether it is electric or petrol cars. With figures showing a 25% fuel saving less emissions and quieter running, the market place will surely stand up and take notice of this new car. The Yamaha name is renowned around the world for building quality products, whether it is motorcycle, marine, music just to name a few. The car comes with many standard features like headlights, taillights and horn and also an optional kit if you wish to have turn indicators as well. This new model will be available in the Australian marketplace in September this year.

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY EZi Golfer golf cart club rack Patent DESIGNED IN AUSTRALIA for WORLD SALES If you’re looking for an investment that can return the investment annually and produce Capital Gains with a 20 year Monopoly for product sales You will find the ANSWER when you visit http://ezigolfer.com.au/

www.goldcoastgolfcars.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2012

33

HOT WHEELS

Nothing rides like a Golf Skate Caddy

HDK vehicles a hot item in Australia

A fusion of a stand-up board feel and a single-player ride-on golf cart, Golf Skate Caddy brings you an amazing experience catering to all ages, especially those between 16-60+ years old. Now you can traverse your favourite 18-hole golf course with a level of freedom, fun and exhilaration previously unseen.

Capable of carrying a golfer up to 100kg plus golf bag, turning is achieved by leaning your weight left or right whilst holding onto a specially designed mono handle to give a distinct surfing/carve-like feel. Don’t worry if you have never ridden a board before as the GSC has a quick learning curve with 99% of riders up to 60 years-old becoming comfortable and confident after five minutes.

There is even an optional six-pack cooler seat for those really hot days when you need a thirst quencher.

The brainchild of two Queenslanders, Douglas Mizzi and Mathew Quinn, interest has been significant and outstanding.

Everyone who has seen and ridden the GSC has commented on the amazing ride and manoeuvrability of this unit.

The Golf Skate Caddy has had an amazing response from Golf Clubs that want to put these in as part of their standard rental fleet to attract younger players, corporate golfers and weekenders as a viable alternative to a golf cart. Interest has been exceptionally strong from the 25 – 50 year-old demographic who have expressed a keen commitment to renting the GSC from their golf club on a regular basis.

Working closely with Pelican Waters Golf Club & Resort in Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast, general manager Tim Gall and the golf operations manager Kiera Digby have been

WHEN Gold Coast golf vehicle specialists Golf Cars International announced in May that they would be bringing HDK Electric and Hybrid Vehicles to Australia, golfers took notice. In fact, the brand has proven to be so popular that demand has quickly outstripped supply.

Coinciding with the May launch of the Australian website, www.hdkaustralia.com.au, Golf Cars International’s special limited-time prices on the HDK brand sparked a buying frenzy by golfers, as they snapped up the entire supply of the vehicles.

“We’ve had to order more to keep up with demand, and we will be extending the promotion because of its success,” says Golf Cars International CEO Kevin Cross. Consumers are becoming more discerning regarding price, and they realise that HDK represents a true value for money product in the Australian Golf Car market – particularly at these special launch prices,” he adds.

The HDK line features vehicles for both work and leisure, including two- and four-seater golf cars, hospitality/people movers and heavy duty utility vehicles. They are each fitted with a full selection of accessories like on-board chargers, alloy wheels and retractable seat belts.

A Master Distributor of Club Car products in Qld, Northern NSW and the Pacific Islands, Golf Cars International recently opened a Sales and Service Centre on Hamilton Island, plus a purpose-built Golf Car Outlet on the Gold Coast which specializes in the sale of all brands of used golf cars and utility vehicles.

HDK will be sold and serviced throughout Australia and will offer affordably priced alternatives to many categories of business as well as golfers and residents of gated communities around the country. In addition, all HDK cars come with a 3 year warranty program.

For more information, call 07 5529 9499, or email sales@hdkaustralia.com.au •

behind the development and testing from the start. Kiera is keen to incorporate the GSC into their corporate day packages as well as have a fleet on hand for their members & visitors alike, stating that they are user-friendly and great to ride. They are keen to help promote a great Aussie idea and can see the value in attracting new and existing golfers back for a great fun day, especially in hard economic times.

Douglas Mizzi has been working hard behind the scenes to secure some great deals with golf clubs, including on-the-spot lease finance approval as well as exceptional

CONDOR SS Series Three SiNgle SeaTeR

customer service and setting up pro-shops with stock and advertising material so that they can on-sell these to their members and customers.

The Golf Skate Caddy is a great alternative to the electric pushcart, and “follow me style” of electric caddy. Because of its size it is also being considered by many who may have looked at a golf cart or single player ride-on unit, Weighing in at around 32Kg it can easily be transported in your family sedan, hatchback or SUV without the need for cumbersome ramps or trailer and will take up virtually no room at home.

Features include, • 1000w Brushless electric motor with soft start • 18Ah-36v lithium Iron battery • 2.4Ghz hand controller • ABS braking, • Heavy duty mono handle • Cup holder • Scorecard holder • Umbrella holder • Compartment seat • L.E.D. Driving lights.

The GSC also sports a top speed of 17kph.

Forward/reverse and a footprint of less than 8psi.

T: 02 9675 1063 www.golfskatecaddy.com.au •

We are into our 13th year and still growing strongly through innovative design and unsurpassed customer support

www.condorgolf.com.au

LASER RANGEFINDER

210

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BASE MODEL

3995

SERIES TWO EX-DEMO SALE!!

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• Alloy chassis • Hydraulic Shock Absorbers front and back • 36V 1200W Superb Hill Climbing Capability • Dimensions: L 1827mm W 860mm H 1100mm (fits 6’x4’ box trailer) • Improved reinforced PVC body

ROOF KIT– $450 ~ DOUBLE SEAT– $200 ~ LIGHT KIT-$150 ~ UTILITY TRAY– $200

TR1 $595

• OVER 6000 SOLD IN THE LAST 7 YEARS • STRONG STEEL FRAME • VERY COMPACT • SUPERB HILL CLIMBING ABILITY • 200W MOTOR • 28AH BATTERY

(fiberglass covers)

ONLY $2900

ONLY 6 AVAILABLE IN BLACK, BLUE, SILVER OR GREY

ALUMINIUM RAMPS

195

$

• 2.3M FULLY ExTENDED • VERY LIGHT (13KGS) YET VERY STRONG (CARRY CAPACITY 455KGS ACROSS THE TWO RAMPS) • SUITABLE FOR GOLF CARS, BUGGIES, ATVS, LAWN MOWERS.

• HAS RANGE FROM 5 METRES TO AN INCREDIBLE 1.5 KILOMETRES (FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN GOLF) • VERY COMPACT (11.8 x 8.2 x 4.4CM) AND LIGHT (JUST 180G) • STURDY HARD CASE INCLUDED • ADJUSTABLE FOCUS • MAGNIFICATION - 7x • ACCURATE TO WITHIN 1M (DEADLY ACCURATE) • WATER RESISTANT

LEOCH QUALITY BATTERIES FOR GOLF BUGGIES - WINTER SPECIAL!!!

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25AH (FOR REMOTE CONTROL BUGGIES. 195x130x164MM

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FREE DELIVERY TO VIC, SA, NSW, TAS, SOUTH QLD Please contact us for delivery quote to other locations CONDOR GOLF / ELDRIDGE GROUP PTY LTD Est 2000 33 KEYSBOROUGH CLOSE (at the end of Keysborough Ave) KEYSBOROUGH, VIC 3173 (By Appointment) 34

July 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

TEL:

(03) 9769 1477

REF TO OUR WEBSITE FOR OUTLET LOCATIONS. NOT ALL PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE FROM ALL OUTLETS EMAIL: sales@condorgolf.com.au

The DRIVE PTV ®

- The firsT fuel injecTed car in The indusTry - lower emissions - BeTTer fuel economy ENGINE/DRIVE TRAIN ENGINE TYPE Yamaha built, low emission single cylinder 60° incline OHV DISPLACEMENT 357 cc BORE x STROKE85 x 63 mm HORSEPOWER11.4 HP (8.5 Kw/3500 rpm) COMPRESSION RATIO 8.1:1 LUBRICATION SYSTEM Splash style positive oil lubrication OIL CAPACITY 1 U.S. quart (1 liter, 1000 cc) AIR CLEANER Two stage, urethane-foam pre-cleaner and high-capacity pleated paper cartridge COOLING SYSTEM Forced air FUEL SYSTEM Electronic Fuel Injection IGNITION SYSTEM Transistor magneto ignition TRANAXLE EnduraDrive™ V-belt automatic forward/reverse transaxle equipped with high-precision helical gears, 11.40:1 drive axle ratio

COLOUR OPTIONS

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Emerald

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HOT WHEELS

Smoothy Micro Suspension Buggy

Smoothy Micro Suspension Buggy This innovative, unrivalled buggy has all the latest features and benefits of any buggy released in the market. The Smoothy brand, which has been Australia’s No 1 selling buggy brand since 2005, has engineered the Micro Suspension buggy to satisfy every golfer’s imaginable request in a manual golf buggy.

Its state-of-the-art Smoothy Suspension system glides over rough surfaces without transmitting any vibrations to the user. The Micro Suspension buggy will fold and unfold in an effortless 5 seconds by simply releasing 2 ergonomic levers. Its compact design will fold to a mere 74 x 54 x 46 cms with the seat disengaged and front wheel attached, allowing for ample room in car boots for other golfing necessities. The oversize polyurethane tyres provide a very a soft ride which is aided by the high modulus aluminium lightweight construction — which surprisingly only weighs 8.72 kgs.

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July 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Sun Mountain Micro Cart

Other features include the best quality soft sponge wide grip handle with an umbrella holder, integrated drink holder along with other golfing accessory internal compartments. The easily accessible foot brake can be effortlessly engaged to park the buggy when necessary. The high-tech upper and lower golf bag connectors simply and quickly attach or disengage within seconds compared to comparable types. The seat accessory, which connects to the right side of the buggy has a deep seat well providing extra storage for items such as score card, balls, tees, watch, mobile phone and car keys.

Available in liquid paint Black, Blue, Red & Silver. www.underpar.com.au Phone: (02) 9417 4055

Sun Mountain Micro Cart

This super lightweight cart weighs only 5.90 kg and folds down to a mere 66 x 40 x 31 cm. It unfolds and folds in two quick easy motions using the E-Z Latch handle height adjustment mechanism. The

Smoothy Micro

four wheels provide better stability on side hills.

Ergonomic features include strapless bag brackets and a Micro-Paq accessory storage bag located in a convenient position. There is an extendable front axle to accommodate bigger golf bags. A smart console has a padded valuables tray, ball, tee holders and a magnetic scorecard holder. A strategically positioned hand brake can be engaged without lifting your hand from the handle bar.

Available in Black, Red & Blue. www.underpar.com.au Phone: (02) 9417 4055

Smoothy Micro

Evolving from the rich heritage as the finest golf buggies in Australia, the Smoothy Micro was engineered in the world’s biggest and best buggy factory. Identifying a golfer’s desire for a minute-quick folding buggy, the Micro will fold or unfold in an effortless five seconds. Simply release two levers, attach your bag and you’re

on the tee. This award -winning ultra compact design and lightweight frame is constructed of high modulus aluminium weighing a mere 8.1 kilos. The polyurethane tyres provide a very soft ride with premium high-speed steel bearings in the wheels for easy rolling. When folded down with the front wheel attached the dimensions are 74 x 42 x 38 cm’s which will fit into almost every car boot allowing for extra room to accommodate your golf bag. Superior features include a deluxe wide sponge grip handle which has built-in ball, score card and drink holder. The quick access hand brake is effortlessly engaged on the right side of the handle, so it can be parked when necessary.

The upper and lower bag connectors quickly and simply attach or detach within seconds compared to other types.

Available in black, silver, blue and red. www.underpar.com.au Phone: (02) 9417 4055

HOT WHEELS TriSwivel

MGI Hunter R200

Capture your best game with the Hunter R200. Combining MGI’s signature features with the latest in advanced technology, the Hunter R200 helps you understand your game and gain more enjoyment and flexibility on the course. The Controlled Distance Function allows you to preset the buggy to travel along, hands free and use the odometer to track how far you’ve walked. Complete with features like lockable front wheel, adjustable handle height, GPS charging port, easy one piece folding, ergonomic T-bar handle, quick release rear wheels, umbrella storage shoot and accessories like umbrella holder, sand bucket loop, cushioned seat with storage and the lightweight 21 amp SLA battery with charger.

Like all MGI buggies, the product is backed by comprehensive after sales service with over 150 Service Centres around the country, Mobile Service Vans in Vic, NSW & Qld and a friendly

38

July 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

local technical and customer support team.

Backed by a 2 year warranty, it’s easy to see why MGI are the #1 selling motorised buggy company in Australia. Available with Lithium ion battery, plus bonus accessory pack worth $150 (limited time only). www.mgigolf.com Phone: 1300 644 523

adjustment, deluxe scorecard holder and secure umbrella holder, 9.5” front and 11.5” rear oversized wheels roll easily through the grass, integrated tee and ball holder, beverage holder and oversized storage bag. www.mgigolf.com Phone: 1300 644 523

Bag Boy TriSwivel

Cruise past the competition in style and complete control with the new Coaster R300. MGI have combined their impressive Gradient Braking Sensor with whisper quiet twin motors to give you confidence on the course round after round. Gradient Braking allows for a more pleasurable experience as your buggy tracks downhill at your desired walking speed without running away from you. Buggies can gain speed on gradients but with GBS technology you can rest assured your buggy will cruise along with you. Impressively

The NEW Bag Boy TriSwivel push buggy features Swivel Tech Technology which rotates the front wheel 360 degrees allowing you to walk on all terrain with effortless manoeuvrability.

The swivel wheel can be locked into place by engaging the Swivel Lock when walking hills or long distances. The TriSwivel buggy folds into an ultra-compact footprint, allowing ample room in a car trunk and requiring minimal storage space.

Includes handle-mounted parking brake, durable handlebar grip, easy one-step handle

MGI Coaster R300

reliable, durable and extremely powerful, take on the steepest of courses, the heaviest of bags and expect the performance of speed and agility to astound you. With all the standard features of the Hunter R200 and more, the Coaster R300 is backed by a 2 year warranty and MGI’s renowned after sales service.

Available with Lithium ion battery, plus bonus accessory pack worth $150 (limited time only). www.mgigolf.com Phone: 1300 644 523

MGI Navigator G800

Welcome to the world’s first motorised buggy with onboard GPS mapping. Complete with full directional remote control, full colour screen that displays walking speed, times and distances and FREE Sureshotgps software. Enjoy knowing the distance on your course at the touch of a button and toggle between Sureshotgps mode and Buggy mode with ease. Stay on track with MGI’s patented

HOT WHEELS Grasshopper (UK) Senior Pro Golf Cart (model DG-CM1)

Grasshopper SE Series 2 Golf Buggy

Condor TR1 Battery-Powered Golf Buggy

Straight Tracker technology ensuring your buggy is always online. The 24volt electronic system is the eco-friendly choice and allows for greater efficiency.

Featuring a 24v Lithium battery weighing only 2.5kg, twin calibrated 200w motors, Gradient Braking Sensor technology and retractable 4th wheel, the Navigator is the complete package. Don’t forget MGI’s standard accessories like umbrella holder, sand bucket loop and cushioned seat with storage and enjoy piece of mind knowing your Navigator G800 is backed by a 2 year warranty and the best after sales service available in Australia. The Navigator also comes with a bonus accessory pack worth $150 (limited time only). www.mgigolf.com Phone: 1300 644 523

Condor TR1 Battery-Powered Golf Buggy Over 6,000 Condor TR1’s have been sold in the last 8 years. Featuring a strong steel frame,

this battery-powered buggy is very compact when folded. The powerful 200w motor offers limitless hill-climbing capability. The buggy also sports a very tough handle and wheels, as well as a spring-loaded seat with storage. The unit comes with large capacity 28ah battery & auto cut off charger. Very simple in design and simple to use.

RRP: $595.00 Condor Golf (Eldridge Group Pty Ltd since 2000).

Phone: (03) 97691477 www.condorgolf.com.au sales@condorgolf.com.au www.grass-hopper.co.uk

Grasshopper (UK) Senior Pro Golf Cart (model DG-CM1) The ultimate in comfort and ride of all single-seat golf carts available. Now with super quiet grease-filled differential/gearbox. The

Grasshopper SE Series 2 Golf Buggy

powerful 1300w motor is powered by 3 x sealed 80ah batteries (up to 50-60ks on one charge), which produces a maximum speed of 15kph.

Other features include Rack & Pinion Steering, Leaf Spring suspension with full hydraulic shock absorbers, Mechanical Drum Brakes, Headlights, Brake Lights, Indicator lights and fully automatic pulse charger. Carrying capacity up to 150kgs. Dimensions: 167x84x166 (L,W,H). Can be used for personal mobility vehicle (subject to local requirements). Wide comfortable seat with movable arm rests.

Lightweight plastic roof with Perspex windshield included.

Available from August.

Introductory price $4295.00.

Condor Golf (Eldridge Group Pty Ltd since 2000).

Phone: (03) 97691477 www.condorgolf.com.au sales@condorgolf.com.au www.grass-hopper.co.uk

The Grasshopper SE Series 2 Golf Buggy is available with steering wheel or T-bar handle versions. This buggy features a comfortable high back seat, Halogen headlight, quiet grease-filled gearbox and moulded plastic covers available in a range of colours. The powerful and quiet 800w motor is powered by 2 x sealed 55ah batteries, with auto cut off charger. Includes sand tube, front basket and cup holder.

RRP: $2995.00 Condor Golf (Eldridge Group Pty Ltd since 2000).

Phone: (03) 97691477 www.condorgolf.com.au sales@condorgolf.com.au www.grass-hopper.co.uk

WEBSITE LaUNch wide SUPER SPEcIaL Australia distribution

2 SEATER

2+2 SEATER

4+2 SEATER

$5950

$6450

$7450

was $8250

was $9900

was $10890

Visit our website to see the extensive list of free extra features 3 Year Premium Warranty *Conditons apply Price excludes Freight | Prices include GST | Subject to availability

UTE

FLAT BED

was $11990

was $11990

$8950

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VISIT O UR WEBSIT NEW E!

www.hdkaustralia.com.au

12 Millennium Circuit, Helensvale, Gold Coast, Qld 4212

Phone: 07 5529 9499 Email: sales@golfcarsinternational.com.au

www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2012

39

HOT WHEELS

Golf Skate Caddy

Condor SS

Conveyorcart

Golf Skate Caddy

A serious bit of kit for the individual golfer and fleet buyer alike. An Australian designed & developed single player vehicle offers the golfer a unique and fun riding experience. Easily transported in your family sedan or SUV with the ability to traverse your favourite 18-hole course, the Golf Skate Caddy will get you through your game quicker as you go directly to your ball rather than sharing a cart. Sporting a 1000w computer-controlled brushless motor with soft start to protect the fairway, high torque and a top speed of 17km/h, steering is simply a matter of leaning your weight left or right whilst holding onto the mono handle. It really is the coolest way to get a round.

Phone: 02 9675 1063 www.golfskatecaddy.com.au

CONVEYORCART – The Ultimate Golf Car Trailer Golf cars were never designed to be placed on open trailers where they get covered in road grime on wet days and dust in dry conditions with the windscreen and roof acting like a parachute causing higher fuel consumption.

The CONVEYORCART trailer is fully enclosed, weatherproof, secure – fully lockable, aero dynamic and extremely user friendly to convey your golf car and much more. This trailer enables the golf car to be driven into the trailer complete with golf clubs and accessories, shoes, clothing, weather curtains etc. Lift the gas strut-assisted ramp, lock it and be in the club house or on the way home while others are still loading bags and equipment into their vehicles.

The CONVEYORCART is really a shed on wheels and its uses are only limited by your imagination – motor home trailer, motor bikes, camping, moving furniture, business uses, sports equipment, musical instruments, luggage trailers, etc.

These trailers are built to the most rigorous standards with high quality finish. The CONVEYORCART can be painted to match your vehicle and sign writing for your sponsor or business can be arranged. www.conveyorcart.com.au Phone 03 5852 1516 Mobile 0407 521 550

Condor SS

The Condor SS is the perfect choice for those looking for a powerful single-seat golf car. The

QLD (07) 3807 8895 NSW/ACT (02) 9972 7705

40

July 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

WA (08) 9244 1727 SA (08) 8346 6645

car features full hydraulic shock absorbers on front and back, as well as a 36v battery with superb hill climbing ability, courtesy of the powerful 1200w motor. Other features include a Curtis (USA) controller system, alloy chassis and Lightweight/smooth PVC body. Dimensions: 1827x860x110mm. Fits inside standard 6x4’ box trailer.

Optional extras include: Roof kit ($450), Two seat version ($200), Light kit including indicators ($150), utility tray ($200).

Base Price RRP: $3995.00.

Condor Golf (Eldridge Group Pty Ltd since 2000).

Phone: (03) 97691477 www.condorgolf.com.au sales@condorgolf.com.au www.grass-hopper.co.uk

VIC (03) 9558 1211 TAS (03) 6248 1481

NT (08) 8946 4480 Fiji +679 670 0955

WHY RENT A CAR WHEN YOU CAN OWN A QUALITY 2ND HAND CAR?

Starting from $23 a week Yamaha Golf Cars

MELbOURNE – bRAEsIDE – (03) 9587 5480 www.yamaha-motor.com.au

HOT WHEELS

Trojan Battery launches video tutorial series

EMC Dash Panel NEW EMC LSV Golf Cart

EMC Golf Carts

Golf carts haven’t changed a great deal in the last 30 years. While there have been some updates in styling and some “innovations”, at the end of the day the packages have not really changed a great deal. Until now.

When EMC golf carts, resort and utility vehicles were introduced to Australia over 7 years ago they were a relatively simple yet robust range of vehicles. The product of a Sino-USA joint venture with final assembly carried out in Australia, today’s EMC LSV range of vehicles are equipped with industry leading performance and safety features not available from most other brands.

While your standard golf cart has two-wheel mechanical brakes, EMC LSVs have 4 wheel hydraulic Brakes (Disc front brakes, drum rear brakes). There is also an optional electro mechanical brake that comes on automatically when the cart is stationary, capable of holding the cart on an incline of up to 30 degrees. When the

vehicle comes to a halt, the brake automatically engages. The vehicle management system pushes the brake off when the accelerator is depressed.

There is also a standard manual hand brake.

The regenerative braking feels and works like engine braking: lift your foot from the accelerator pedal and the vehicle rapidly slows. But the exciting part is it generates power and puts it back into the batteries while the vehicle is slowing.

The safety frame and roll protection is designed to add structural strength, and protects the occupant in an accident where there is a roll over. EMC LSV vehicles also include three-point seat belts for when the vehicle is being driven at higher speeds on a public road (EMC LSV vehicles are equipped with the features required for conditional road registration, although an amber beacon light may be required.) EMC LSV range also offer powerful automotive-grade headlights with high and low beam, as well as a dash with instrument cluster.

While most major brands today still only have a 3.2 kilowatt electric motor, the new EMC LSV range sport a powerful 5.3 kilowatt motor, allowing the cart to climb hills with ease. The carts also come with a High/Low power switch, which allow you to switch from the standard 20kph golf course limit to 40kph+ when on roads, etc.

EMC LSV golf carts come with unique numbered keys, increasing security of the cart.

EMC LSV vehicles are also fitted with an antitheft locking system: when you turn the key to the final “off ’ position and remove the key the steering system automatically locks.

The EMC LSV range is available in a wide range of configurations for almost as many applications.

Long and short wheel base utilities, Resort vehicles with 4, 6 and 8 seats, and all terrain off roaders for use on farms and rough conditions. www.getmobile.com.au Phone: 1800 680 088

Trojan Battery Company is the world’s leading manufacturer of deep cycle batteries and a battery technology pioneer, has recently launched a video tutorial series to expand understanding of deep cycle battery technologies, maintenance and safety in golf cars.

The First “Trojan Tips” video (available on www.trojanbattery.com) reviews the various battery technologies available on the market today, and what to consider when selecting a battery for a particular application. New tutorials will premier each month throughout 2012.

“One of the most important features of electrically powered equipment, and probably one of the most ignored, is the battery,” said Vicki Hall, Trojan’s Director of quality and technical services, and host of the “Trojan Tips” Educational series. “The Battery is the heart of any piece of electric equipment that relies on batteries for power. When a battery fails in a Golf Car it can make or break a day on the course.

Proper understanding of this technology and maintenance practices are key to getting the most out of your battery investment.”

Trojan Developed the “Trojan Tips” Series to educate the public on a variety of important battery related subjects that can positively impact the performance and longevity of deep cycle batteries used to power electrical equipment. Topics Such as selecting the right battery, maintenance techniques and appropriate charging and equalization guidelines are just a few of the issues that will be addressed during the video tutorial series.

For more information please visit www.alcobatt.com.au or call 1300 883 643 •

MICRO-CART

always thinking

• The hottest push cart on the planet.

• Featherlite at 5.9 kg and a Micro-Paq with 3 storage compartments.

• Folds away to a mere 62x41x30 cm with E-Z Latch.

• Available in Black, Silver, Red, Blue.

To find your nearest authorised Sun Mountain dealer visit: www.underpar.com.au or call (02) 9417 4055 42

July 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

HOT WHEELS Cushman shuttle range: The Labour savers

The all new Cushman Shuttle range is the definitive transportation vehicle.

Transport people, tools and equipment in a tough yet stylish vehicle that is built to deliver.

The Cushman shuttle range affords comfort with room to spare.

Available in two, four, six and even eight seat options the Cushman Shuttle can cater for a range of needs.

The Electric models come standard with highly impressive features including: headlights, horn, state of charge meter as well as the Precision Drive System (PDS), which allows for the vehicle parameters to be programmed. The electric models also include regenerative braking and an anti roll back alarm.

The electric vehicle’s petrol counterpart features a 13.5 horsepower engine rather than a 48 volt shunt wound motor. They also feature an automatic continuously variable transmission. This can provide better fuel economy than other transmissions by enabling the engine to run at its most efficient revolutions per minute (RPM) for a range of vehicle speeds.

The Shuttle range’s seating options allow for various sized cargo beds. Depending on your needs this will most likely be the determining factor in deciding which shuttle to go with.

If it’s tools and equipment – the shuttle 2 is for you.

For delivering both people and heavy loads, the shuttle 4 is the way to go. For passenger only transportation the Shuttle 6 and 8 get the job done in style.

Augusta Golf Cars Phone: 07 3807 8895 www.ezgo.com.au

Cushman Hauler™ and Hauler X™ Range

Classic Trojan...

Whether it is hauling sand, towing equipment, working in rough terrain, or just plain getting the job done, the Cushman range of commercial vehicles

Hauler™

Shuttle

Hauler X™

were born to help you eliminate your downtime and get more out of your day. Built tough, rugged and reliable, no job is too big for one of these vehicles.

Hauler™ Range

This rugged work vehicle earns its keep with getit-done versatility, ideal for moving equipment and materials around any plant or jobsite. The Hauler is offered in electric or petrol and has a load capacity of between 360 kilograms and 540 kilograms.

The Hauler 800 is fitted with a 5.9-cubic-ft poly cargo bed, whilst the Hauler 1000 and 1200 both feature 9.6-cubic-ft aluminium cargo beds.

The Hauler comes standard with bench seating for two, headlights to safely navigate in any lighting conditions, a front bumper with brush guard for added durability, turf tyres which reduce turf damage and a limited slip differential, providing 4X4 capability at a fraction of the cost.

This vehicle also features an array of optional extras including: a tow ball, work lights, weather enclosures

Classic Trojan...

and electric dump bed among others.

The Hauler is extremely useful on and around the jobsite, whether you need to haul some equipment or simply move a load of debris.

Hauler X™ Range

Take the Cushman Hauler and give it an extra dose of rugged and you get the Hauler X. The Hauler X is the vehicle for the jobs that need some extra muscle. Make a playground of the jobsite with a vehicle that is both highly functional and stylish.

The Hauler X features a lifted suspension, trail tyres and a truck like cowl and is the ultimate vehicle to get you wherever you need to be.

The Hauler X is available in two models.

The petrol powered Hauler 800 X features a 5.9-cubic-ft poly cargo bed and 360 kilogram load capacity, whilst the Hauler 1200 X, available in electric or petrol, features a 9.6-cubic-ft aluminium cargo bed with a capacity of 450 kilograms. Both vehicles come standard with a limited slip differential, providing

4X4 capability at a fraction of the cost.

Both the 800X and 1200X are built for the most brutal jobs, and with myriad optional extras available the Hauler X can be customised to suit the needs of any job.

Optional extras include: an electric power dump, winch receiver, tow ball, LED headlights and turn signals and Foam filled tyres to puncture proof the vehicle.

4WD Capabilities at a fraction of the cost

Both the Hauler and Hauler X come standard with a limited slip differential.

The limited slip differential automatically engages when encountering loose and uneven terrain, enabling the Hauler or Hauler X to distribute torque and power.

The Limited slip differential provides optimal handling and traction on poor terrain without damaging turf at a fraction of the cost of a 4X4.

Augusta Golf Cars Phone: 07 3807 8895

The Ultimate Golf Car Trailer

CONVEYORCART More than 98% of the worlds top golf courses use Trojan Batteries in their fleets.* Why? Trojan invented the golf car battery back in 1952 and has been making superior products ever since. Check under the seat of an electric golf car and you’re likely to see Trojan deep cycle batteries. *Based on listings of top golf courses in Golf Digest, Golf Magazine and the US Open list of venues 1995-2010

ALCO BATTERY SALES PTY LTD:

Your golf car and equipment deserve a quality built secure home on wheels like this.

Very user friendly with multiple uses.

Ideal For: Golf Car, Motorcycle, Luggage/Bus Trailer, Camping

Brisbane • Sydney • Newcastle • Orange • Ballina • Melbourne • Hervey Bay • Port Macquarie • Wagga Wagga Toowoomba • Sunshine Coast • Rockhampton • Maryborough • Adelaide • Perth • Carlton • Shepparton • Auckland

(AUS) Ph: 1300 883 643 • (NZ) Ph: (0011) 64 9277 9400

AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND ALCO BATTERIES (AUS) SALES PTY ALCOLTD: BATTERIES NEW ZEALAND ALCOSALES BATTERY 15-17 David Road, EMU Plains, NSW 2750 Unit B/57 Brisbane • Sydney • Newcastle • Orange • Ballina • Melbourne • Hervey Bay • McLaughlins Port MacquarieRoad, • Wagga Wagga PO Box 1898, Penrith BC 2751 Wiri Manukau 2240 Toowoomba • Sunshine Coast • Rockhampton • Maryborough • Adelaide • Perth • Carlton • Auckland visit our website www.alcobatt.com.au sales@alcobatt.co.nz

(AUS) Ph: 1300 883 643 • (NZ) Ph: (0011) 64 9277 9400

44

AUSTRALIA July 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

ALCO BATTERIES SALES (AUS) 15-17 David Road, EMU Plains, NSW 2750

NEW ZEALAND ALCO BATTERIES NEW ZEALAND Unit B/57 McLaughlins Road,

Call (03) 5852 1516 or 0407 521 550 www.conveyorcart.com.au

Now available with automatic park brake & AC motor

HOT WHEELS Augusta Golf Cars: The home of E-Z-GO, Cushman and Bad Boy Buggies

Oasis Refresher www.ezgo.com.au

A Refreshing take on Vending: The new Oasis Keeping clients impressed is easy with the new Oasis Refresher unit.

This petrol powered vehicle is refreshingly easy to use and is equipped with a host of features that help cater for any environment.

Using a locally developed custom-built refresher unit that is fitted onto a petrol powered E-Z-GO shuttle 2 vehicle, Augusta Golf Cars have produced a vehicle that is environmentally friendly, cost effective and is sure to enhance your return.

This versatile vehicle features a large gas powered oven, perfect for keeping warm snacks at exactly the right temperature.

It also includes a generous cold storage area, which uses refrigerator quality insulation and is ideal for keeping drinks icy cold.

Other features include: multiple dry storage areas, cash box, twin waste bins and a safe, secure and secluded gas storage area.

The vehicle itself includes headlights, taillights, fuel gauge, horn as well as an anti-roll back alarm.

Augusta Golf Cars Phone: 07 3807 8895 www.ezgo.com.au

Gold Coast Golf Cars

Gold Coast Golf Cars is an established Yamaha dealer situated in the centre of the Gold Coast. GCGC are one of the biggest service agents for major Golf Courses and commercial cart usage in the area. They represent their Yamaha product in a large premises off Brisbane road at Biggera Waters and have a selection of new and used Yamaha golf cars to choose from. Their mobile service is another option for residential and off site cart repairs as they operate between South Brisbane and Lismore. Check out their website at www.goldcoastgolfcars.com.au or speak to one of their experienced staff on (07) 5529 1855. If you’re after a WaveRunner too, this is the place for you.

Ph (07) 5529 1855

It has been nearly eight years since Augusta Golf Cars entered the Australian golf car market and began ascending through the ranks to become the leading supplier of golf and utility vehicles in Australia.

Augusta Golf Cars are the master distributors for E-Z-GO, Cushman and Bad Boy Buggies in Australia and the Pacific Region.

The privately owned company, which has grown in leaps and bounds over its relatively short tenure, has turned a market share of only 5 per cent into a national market share of approximately 40 per cent.

Managing Director, Raymond Georgiou has accredited the success of the company to the investment in people, infrastructure, a strong dealer network and quality products.

“Augusta Golf Cars and our enviable dealer network provide more than just the sale of vehicles; we offer servicing and maintenance, part sales, rental options as well as quality used vehicles,” Georgiou says.

In early 2012 E-Z-GO rebranded and relaunched a new product line that saw the return of the Cushman brand to Australian shores. During this time the Bad Boy Buggies Specialty range was also launched in Australia.

Cushman, which up until recently, acted only as the industrial strong-arm of E-Z-GO, returned to the utility vehicle market with quite a bang.

The Cushman Hauler and Hauler X range have made an impression on and off the golf course. These vehicles come standard with a limited slip differential, which affords the vehicle 4WD capabilities at a fraction of the cost.

The Cushman shuttle range also bringing some new features and great design to the hospitality sector.

As for E-Z-GO; the brand has continued to impress, with a myriad of Australian courses choosing to use the E-Z-GO RXV as their fleet vehicle. The RXV is the only vehicle fitted with an

All Cart Parts

Parts and accessories for all makes of golf carts

23 years industry experience Unit 2/16 Ereton Drive, Labrador 4215 Mobile: 0414 375 027 Phone: 07 5537 5033 Fax: 07 55377015 eMail: allcartparts1@optusnet.com.au 46

July 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

automatic park brake and an AC motor, making it one of the safest and most reliable vehicles for the often strenuous job.

The National Golf Club, Thirteenth Beach Golf links, Heritage Golf Club, Hope Island Golf Club and the newly redeveloped Stonebridge Golf Club, are among the many that have opted to use E-ZGO’s most popular vehicle; the E-Z-GO RXV. Augusta Golf Cars also cater for niche markets with a range of specialty vehicles ideally suited for mining, hunting, farming and off road use.

Bad Boy Buggies have transformed the sport and work vehicle market with a range of vehicles that are built tough.

Take the all new Bad Boy Ambush duel drive vehicle for example; this vehicle combines an electric motor with a petrol engine, allowing for the driver to choose between the extended range of a petrol vehicle and the silence of an electric vehicle. Better yet, engage both for full 4WD capabilities.

Augusta Golf Cars have fully stocked and equipped branches in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne and have become renowned for being a one stop venue for all golf, leisure, utility and specialty vehicle needs.

If you would like to find out more about Augusta Golf Cars visit their website at www.ezgo.com.au •

Wide range of golf Cars, resort Vehicles, refreshers Shuttles, & Utility Vehicles major brands

Club Car badboy

E-Z-Go Yamaha Cushman

L A N O I T A N RVICE

SE P U K BAC

Quality

used Golf Cars

all OF OUr CarS haVe a limited Warranty

hUge priCe range tO SUit any bUdget

We prOVide UpgradeS COnVerSiOnS reFUrbiShmentS

COntaCt US FOr a qUOte

View our Used Cars & Monthly Specials @

www.ezgo.com.au/used-cars For more information or to locate a dealer visit WWW.EZGO.COM.AU QLD (07) 3807 8895 NSW/ACT (02) 9972 7705 WA (08) 9244 1727 SA (08) 8352 6622

VIC (03) 9558 1211 TAS (03) 6248 1481 NT (08) 8946 4480 Fiji (+679) 670 0955

The Power

behind the brand

(02) 9827 7500 • www.yamaha-motor.com.au

gear We Tried it: GolfBuddy Voice

A GPS device that talks!

If you want the benefits of a GPS system, without the need to carry a large device, then the GolfBuddy Voice might just be the ticket.

As small as a golf ball, the GolfBuddy Voice is a light, compact unit that gives you spoken distances to the green. That’s right, the unit TALKS to you.

We took this unit out at a recent round and put it to the test.

The first thing we noticed is how easy it is to use. Just turn it on and it’s ready to go. Unlike some GPS units, it has auto course and hole recognition, so it knows exactly which hole you’re on. Push a button, and you get the yardage the centre, front and middle of the green. Simple.

When you arrive at a tee, it automatically tells you the hole number and distance, making club selection a breeze.

Of course, this can create humorous moments as well, like when you are playing to, say, the 13th green from the 14th fairway following a massive slice.

“You are on the 14th hole,” the unit tells me.

“I know that! Stop pestering me!” I say to it, before I realise that I’m talking to a machine. I change it back to the 13th with a couple of button presses (I only wish getting my ball back to the 13th was this easy.)

This begs us to wonder if the creative minds at GolfBuddy will ever install a “Sledging Circuit” into the device with, say, David Feherty’s voice reminding you things like “220 metres to the green. Don’t bother, you can’t hit that far,” or “You’re two fairways over from where you need to be – again —perhaps a lesson is in order after the round?”

At any rate, the GolfBuddy Voice is a fantastic little unit that does exactly

It is 157 metres to the centre of the green

what it advertises. And as it doesn’t require more than a single button press, it actually speeds up play immensely.

It has a 40,000 course memory, is preloaded with thousands of worldwide courses and connects to a PC via a micro USB port for synching when new courses are added to GolfBuddy’s global database.

RRP: $220 No subscription fees or course download charges www.gpsgolfbuddy.com.au

FootJoy WinterSof Gloves

With FootJoy’s WinterSof gloves in your bag, you can extend your golf season right through winter.

The gloves include lightweight double-knit cuffs, which keeps warmth in and moisture out as well as windproof, lightweight insulating fleece to protect your hands in cool and windy conditions.

A soft, thin sueded leather palm gives you superb feel and a solid grip in cool weather conditions.

Available in both Men’s & Women’s Pairs.

RRP: $34.95 per pair 1800 660 535 www.footjoy.com.au

FootJoy Base Layer

ProDry® Performance Thermal Base Layer was developed specifically for golf. The non-restricting construction fits closely to the skin to help regulate body temperature without interfering with the golfer’s swing.

This is the first essential layer for cold playing conditions.

Available in black, white and navy.

RRP: $69.95 each.

1800 660 535 www.footjoy.com.au

Nike Golf to roll out more VR_S Speed Trials The Nike Golf Speed Trials have been hailed a huge success, with over 130 people registering and taking part in the event, recently held at Victoria Park Golf Complex. Nike Golf plans to conduct more Speed Trials throughout Australia in the coming months.

The night included a Celebrity challenge which included, Brisbane Broncos Ben T’eo, Corey Norman & Peter Wallace. London Olympics’ Marathoner Michael Shelley as well as Australia’s No 1 Blind Golfer, Glen Niciejewski.

Sea Patrol actors Ian Stenlake & Conrad Coleby, also avid golfers, took part.

The challenge was hotly contested, but in the end Bronco Peter Wallace was crowned the VR_S King of Speed.

The ‘Speed Trials Challenge’ lets registered participants have 3 drives with the VR_S Driver and their longest drive recorded on a national leader board, with the winner heading to the ultimate speed event, the F1 Singapore Grand Prix in September.

Speed Trials will be held at key retailers including Golf World, Golf Mart, House of Golf, Power Golf & Golf Box in WA. There will be various major prizes at each of these locations and participating consumers

will also receive two 20XI balls, while supplies last. Similar Speed Trial events are also scheduled to take place at other key regional and green grass account partners across the country. www.speedtrials.com.au See a video of the night: http://on.fb.me/MmVvFl

New: Coolamon Sport gear SunProtection Australia, the Byron Bay–based leading sun protection clothing business recently announced a community partnership with Melanoma Institute Australia, a world leader on melanoma research, treatment and education. The partnership will focus on SunProtection’s new label, Coolamon Sport—a range of maximum UPF 50+ stylish and colourful ladies shirts for golf, tennis and more.

After the recent loss of her husband (SunProtection CEO Warren Meanwell) to melanoma, Kerryn Meanwell decided to continue on with the business and honour his passion. With even more determination and focus, the team at SunProtection Australia continues the vital work the couple began.

“I know Warren would be very proud of our achievements this year and particularly our partnership with Melanoma Institute Australia,” said Kerryn. ”It makes all the blood, sweat and tears, particularly over the last few years as we battled with his illness, seem worthwhile. He was so passionate about the business. Hoping to prevent others having to go through the same thing is what it’s all about. Warren loved his job – knowing he was helping people protect their families and their life.”

Warren and Kerryn started their sun protection business in 1994 with the marketing of a single hat. While working in the mines a few years earlier, Warren was alarmed at the devastating effects of skin cancer in his fellow workers and even members of his own family. As their business started to take off, they began to realise that there was not only a growing need for quality sun protection clothing but also a greater need for sun awareness and the consequences of over exposure to the sun. This was the beginning of SunProtection Australia.

Over the following years Warren and Kerryn, along with their family (children Lara, 14 and Matty, 12), developed their business to include a website that has always offered sun safe awareness. It now links directly to Melanoma Institute Australia so that people can get the most up-to-date information on melanoma facts and research.

A luxurious, high performance UPF 50+ fabric exclusive to SunProtection Australia has been created: one that Coolamon Sport will launch. Well suited to the Australian climate, the fabric is lightweight, cool, breathable and durable. More innovative designs, including made-to-order garments, are available for men, women and children who require sporting, recreational and industrial sun protective clothing.

SunProtection Australia is a specialist sun protection clothing business that provides maximum UPF 50+ clothing for the whole family. They also do made-towear apparel for industry, schools and organisations including resort wear. sunprotection.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2012

49

gear

If the putter fits...

If you blame your putter for missing too many putts, you may actually be right!

Richard Fellner richard@insidegolf.com.au

Regular readers of Inside Golf will know that we are big proponents of custom clubfitting. Regardless of your skill level, age, gender or body size, getting a set of golf clubs that are custom fit to your particular swing type is critical to success. Without it, you are likely losing shots due to a flatstick that is poorly matched to your game.

And while many of you are cottoning on to the importance of clubfitting for your woods and irons, there is one club in your bag that trumps all others in importance, but is rarely considered for a personalised fitting.

The putter is, hands down, the most important club in the bag, as it is responsible for the majority of your shots on the course. Indeed, shaving a few strokes on the green can have the single most dramatic affect on your game.

But for many golfers, buying a putter is often done “off the rack”, or based on the advice/success of a mate, often with little or no real fitting or practice.

Many times, a golfer will go into a proshop or retailer (distraught at their putting woes), become mesmerised by the latest “magic wand” to hit the market, take a few practice putts on the indoor synthetic green, and buy the putter straight away. The putter may work for a while, then somehow lose its magic – later being relegated to the closet with a dozen other has-beens.

I’m sure this sounds familiar to many of you.

Matching a putter to your stroke requires careful

examination. Your choice of putter can actually reduce your chances of sinking putts, especially if it is the wrong type for your swing. (For more on this, see Glenn Whittle’s instruction column this month.)

There are basically three types of putters these days: face balanced, heel-toe weighted, or toe-weighted. A face balanced putter (most mallet-type putters fall into this category) will face the sky when you balance the shaft on your finger. A toe-weighted putter (like many classic blades) will see the toe point downward.

The heel-toe putter, meanwhile, falls in between the two, around 45 degrees of hang. Each type of putter is designed for a different type of putting style.

Heel-toe weighted putters, for example, are popular with golfers with an inside-square-inside stroke path.

The weight on the putterhead is placed on the heel and toe (less in the centre) which helps stabilise the putterhead on contact. Mallet putters, on the other hand, favour a stroke path that is more square to square, as the putterhead’s centre of gravity is in the same plane as the shaft, thus eliminating twisting of the putterface during the stroke.

Then there are a bunch of other variables: head weight, shaft balance, grip size and even overall length of the putter. If any one of those is off (or incorrectly modified), it can affect the putter’s success.

“Over 90 percent of golfers have a putter shaft that is too long for them,” explains Barrie Joiner of Yes! Putters. “And many of these golfers will go their whole lives not knowing it!”

While I consider myself a fairly good putter, I have always wondered if my putter was a good match for my putting stroke. So, last month, I attended a Yes! Putterfitting day at my home club, Eastern GC. Under the watchful eye of Barrie, I proceeded to test the various types of putters available.

After watching me stroke a series of putts with my own putter, Barrie immediately went to work and

Top: Barrie Joyner helps an Eastern GC member dial-in the right Yes! putter for her stroke. Left: A face-balanced putter and right: a toe-weighted putter opened up his bag of tricks: a well-stocked toolkit the stroke, and was more like a true extension of my arms. It was also more accurate: my putting with the of weights and counterweights that he loaded into a Yes! test putter. Based upon my putting style, Barrie correctly-fitted Yes! putter was dramatically better chose a face-balanced putter, with a combination of than my current putter (8/10 made versus 5/10 made). weights in both the head and the shaft. The inserted In truth, the results were nothing short of amazing. shaft weight acts as a counterweight to the head, thus So if you’re missing more putts than your fair share, placing the entire putter into balance. it may actually be your putter’s fault. Who knew?

After a few more tries – and a few more adjustments For more information on putterfitting, chat with to the test putter – we finally dialled-in a perfect your local PGA Professional, or visit Yes! Putters combination of balance and weight for my stroke. (www.yesgolf.net.au), or visit Glenn Whittle at the Sydney Putting Studio (www.whittlegolf.com.) • The configured putter felt almost weightless during

RYDE-PARRAMATTA GOLF CLUB Social Playing Member An introduction to Membership at a Championship Golf Course

Present this ad with your application & receive a complimentary 18 Hole Cart Hire

The Social Playing Member is our way of introducing new Members to life as a Member in a Private Golf Club. Social Playing Members gain an official Golf Australia Handicap administered by Ryde-Parramatta Golf Club which enables them to enter and play in our Friday Open Competition. Peace of mind. As a Social Playing Member you are affiliated with Golf Australia and as such are covered by an on-course insurance policy giving you peace of mind cover when playing on any course within Australia. Flexible option without financial pressure. A common barrier to playing more golf and finding the time to relax on the course is either time or cost. With this option you pay a low annual fee and pay as you play. If funds are low then take a break. Upgrade options. If you find the course and playing in competitions is to your liking you are welcome to apply to upgrade to a regular playing category at any time. $0 entrance fee - $275 annual fee.

Conditions apply, please email subject SPM to golf@rydeparramatta.com.au for full details

www.rydeparramatta.com.au

1156 Victoria Rd West Ryde NSW. TEL: 02 9874 1204 50

July 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

education

Living the dream David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

THREE international students from different backgrounds are living the dream thanks to the new Griffith Business School International Academic Scholarship program.

Earlier this year, Rami Virtanen (Finland), Jackie Chen (China) and Nicole Wong (Singapore) received their scholarship through Griffith University.

The trio will spend the next few years studying at the PGA International Golf Institute (PGA IGI) and Griffith University on the Gold Coast.

For them, it is an opportunity to further their education and build careers in the golf industry.

The three PGA IGI students spoke to Inside Golf about their goals and career aspirations.

SCHOOL’S IN: Jackie Chen, Nicole Wong and Rami Virtanen are making the most of their opportunities.

(Age 21 – handicap 13) Last year, Rami Virtanen was a conscript in the Finnish Defence Forces contemplating a career path.

“After I completed my military training I was looking at my options and wondering what I would do” he said.

“I have always loved golf and started looking at websites and found there was a possibility to apply for a scholarship at Griffith Business School and I went for it.”

For Rami, Australia wasn’t a distant foreign land as he had spent time here as an exchange student.

“Four years ago I was an exchange student and that was when I fell in love with Australia and tried to find options to come here with a view of playing golf and studying,” he said.

“That’s when I stumbled on the PGA IGI diploma course and the Griffith University program and thought it was perfect for me.”

Rami said he relished the chance to build a career in golf.

“Once I get my diploma and degree I am hoping to do a traineeship. That would be awesome.

“My ultimate goal is to go back to Finland and be a teaching professional with my own pro shop, although I am also interested in the management side of golf. Managing the golf club would be good for me.

“The PGA IGI course is great. For me the course is the whole package as it teaches you skills in all areas of golf including managing a golf club, turf management and golf course design.”

Rami is making a good fist of the opportunity he has been given and rarely thinks of home.

“I’m certainly not home sick,” he said. “It’s been so exciting and so good I haven’t had the time to think about home.”

Highly educated, Nicole has a business degree and a double major in marketing and logistics from the Singapore National University. She speaks fluent English, Mandarin Chinese, including three Chinese Dialects, as well as basic French and Japanese.

“I was working in the IT industry for 18 years and I realised that golf is my passion,” she said. “I got a little tired of IT and golf is something I want to pursue.

“I have a good 20-year career ahead of me and thought I should find something that aligns with my passion and thought golf is something I like and that’s why I am doing the course.

“I asked myself ‘do I want to work in IT or do I want look forward to going to work in an area I really love and that’s golf ’.

“It’s the passion that drives me to come to Australia to do this course.”

This year Nicole will complete the PGA IGI course and in 2013 will attend Griffith University to complete her Masters.

“I am good at project management and consultancy so I am hoping to go into a big company like Troon Golf or IMG, which can benefit from the skills I have acquired.”

Nicole says she has a number of career goals under consideration.

“The PGA IGI is teaching me a lot about the golf industry, which will be good for my second career.

“Some of the things that interest me are general manager of a club, tournament event management or even helping PGA IGI to expand operations into new markets.

“There are 32,000 golf courses in the world and counting. Within a few years, China will have 600 with more on the drawing board and I want to be a part of the scene.”

Nicole believes education is an ongoing commitment.

“Learning is never ending and I am still young at 39,” she said. “There are still plenty of years to work.”

Nicole Wong

Jackie Chen

Rami Virtanen

(Age 39 – handicap 12) Nicole Wong gave up a promising IT career to pursue a career in the golf industry.

(Age 19 – handicap 4) Attending the PGA IGI Diploma course has been a real eye-opener for

China’s Jackie Chen.

The golf fanatic, who spent three years completing high school in Melbourne, said he was learning more about the golf industry than he thought possible.

“Previously I only saw golf as a physical sport, but now I learn about golf as a business,” said Chen, whose focus is on completing his education at Griffith University.

“The PGA IGI course is teaching me about golf management, golf course design and golf development.

“My goal is to graduate from university, but I don’t want to lose my golf skills because I want to turn pro (via the PGA’s traineeship option) after I have done a Masters degree.

“Then when I finish all my degrees I am going back to China to try to qualify for the China Tour.

“I want to play as a professional, but if I am not good enough I will work in the golf industry.

“Something that interests me is golf course development and the media.

“I love the media so I will probably fol low my fat her’s fo otsteps,” said Chen, whose father is the broadcasting director at the China Golf Channel.

In 2010, Chen captured the China Junior Championship. He also won a number of events in Melbourne.

“When I lived in Melbourne I was practicing at the PGA Learning Centre,” he said.

“That was great with wonderful coaches and they helped me a lot.” • FOOTNOTE: PGA IGI students graduate with Australia’s only Diploma of Golf Management from PGA IGI and a Bachelor of Business degree majoring in Sports Management from Griffith University.

For more information about the PGA International Golf Institute program and its delivery, telephone (07) 5657 6116 or go to the website www.pgaigi.com

www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2012

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technology

Practice (and play) in the CBD Richard Fellner richard@insidegolf.com.au

While golf simulators have been around for a while, only recently have they started to emerge as a true mainstream activity. The rise in sophistication of the technology, coupled with the reduction in overall costs, has resulted in a golf system that is proving extremely popular with golfers.

Walk into Melbourne’s GolfTec facility during a lunch break or after business hours on most days and you’ll see why. It’s crazily addictive. A hightech virtual golf simulator facility, GolfTec looks and feels like an indoor driving range, but with all the bells and whistles of a NASA mission control centre. Falling somewhere between computer video game and high-tech training tool, the golf simulators at GolfTec offer a unique combination of low-cost fun with a minimum time commitment. And as it is indoors (fully air conditioned in the summer) it allows you to play any time, rain or shine, day or night.

We had the opportunity to pop in to GolfTec last month, as we were amazed by the place.

As an “Interactive Driving Range”, the GolfTec simulators can give you detailed data on every part of your game – like distance, carry, roll, spin and launch angle for each shot—and then record these stats for each club in your bag. This is great for determining just how far you can realistically hit (or mis-hit!) that 8 iron.

Click a few buttons and you can watch a full video of your swing from different angles – perfect for those who are working on swing planes, posture or any number of improvement drills.

As a coaching or training tool, it gives teachers the ability to not only identify faults in the swing, but also allows coaches to enhance their instruction

PGA Professional Damien Magaton helps a player straighten out his swing. with the benefit of technology.

Damien Magaton is one of the PGA Professionals on hand at GolfTec to help all levels of players with their game.

“I think it could change the way people practice and have lessons,” Magaton said. “You go to the driving range and you can’t really see what you’re doing and what’s going on. What we have at Golftec allows the golfer to practice properly.”

But it’s not just about practice at GolfTec. There’s a bunch of fun to be had as well.

Whether you want to play a full 18-holes at Pebble Beach or St Andrews during your lunch break, compete in a mini-tournament with your work colleagues, or just do a long-drive competition with a few friends, the sky is the limit. There are dozens of

Video monitors at GolfTec offer a dazzling array of swing data, video replays and more.

the world’s top-rated courses loaded into the system.

Plus, as it is fully licensed (with a nice selection of beer and wine), it is also a fantastic venue for corporate events, Bucks Nights, company parties or even just for a quick hit after work over a few drinks with some mates. They offer full catering options, as well as a selection of snacks or lunch items on hand. There is even a top-quality espresso maker with a trained barista.

And if you’ve left the sticks at home, don’t worry.

The facility is fully-fitted with complete sets of Mizuno clubs – giving you the opportunity to not only practice, but even demo the latest equipment with instant, real-time feedback. It is also great for clubfitting.

There is even a full synthetic grass putting green

upstairs, complete with all the putting aids, tools and video technology to help you work on the most important part of your game. And if you want to work on your bunker shots, GolfTec even has a fullsize sand bunker area where you can blast away to your heart’s content.

GolfTec is located at 136 Exhibition St, in the Melbourne CBD (Around the corner from Parliament Train Station). Hours: Mon–Fri: 7am to 10:00pm, Sat: 9am to 5pm Sun: 10am to 4pm.

Bookings are recommended. There are a variety of price packages/memberships to suit every option, with a 30-minute session (unlimited shots) around $25.

Bookings: (03) 9650 9766, email goahead@ golftec.com.au or visit www.golftec.com.au •

Nelson Bay Golf Club

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July 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

for the Challenge?

fitness

Boosting your wrist health and strength Richard Nizielski richardniz@gmail.com 0438 027 768

If you are a regular reader of my articles, then you may be aware that I am big on timeefficient, specific training for golf. To me that means a focus on the muscles of the legs, glutes, trunk and back. Of course the other muscle groups shouldn’t be completely ignored.

One area I frequently get asked about is forearm / wrist strength.

Many of the exercises for golf already use the forearm muscles. Exercises such as the shoulder fly or triceps pushdown activates the forearm muscles simply by gripping the bar through the movement. So while not being trained directly, the forearm muscles are still getting some work.

Wrist injuries can occur in golf through impact, hitting off artificial surfaces too often or simply through the repetitive action of hitting golf balls.

Seemingly small injuries can become worse if left too long, so if you are having wrist problems, seek the advice of a sports doctor or physiotherapist to get the best options of treatment.

As always though, prevention is better than a cure. So here are a few exercises to help with wrist health and strength.

The moment of impact is when an injury is most likely to occur, so strengthening the wrist extensor, flexor and the muscles which hinge the wrist is important.

Exercise 1: Wrist extensions

Exercise 2: Wrist hinge

Exercise 3: Wrist flexion (Photos courtesy of The Golf Athlete)

Exercise 1. Wrist extensions.

Exercise 3. Wrist flexion.

needed on the first two exercises rather than the wrist flexion exercise.

These three exercises will help with forearm strength and wrist stability, so be sure to go to full range of movement for each repetition. If you are experiencing pain in the movement, do have it looked at.

When performing other exercises, which are focused on other upper body muscle groups, maintain a neutral wrist position while holding the bar or dumb-bell. This will reinforce the emphasis on correct hand-wrist alignment for the golf swing.

Happy Golfing •

Take hold of a lightweight dumb-bell. Depending on your strength, somewhere between 1-5kg is usually sufficient. In a seated position with the thigh parallel to the floor, place the forearm on the thigh, have the palm facing down and the hand unsupported past the knee. Using only the muscles of the forearm raise and lower the dumb-bell in a slow and controlled manner.

When you have performed the required amount of repetitions, repeat for the other wrist.

Exercise 2. Wrist hinge.

In a seated position (as already described), place the forearm on the thigh, so the thumb is pointing skyward and the hand is unsupported. Lower and raise the dumb-bell for the required amount of repetitions. When completed, repeat with the other hand.

Again, sitting with the thigh in a parallel position, place the forearm on the thigh, this time with the palm of the hand facing skyward. Lower and raise the dumb-bell for the required amount of repetitions. When completed, perform the exercise with the other hand.

For all the exercises, work in a range of 1220 repetitions performing 2-3 sets.

A small note here: Many daily activities see the wrist go into flexion far more often than extension. As such more emphasis is most likely

Richard Nizielski is a Brisbane-based golf fitness expert and the Director of Golf Fit Solutions. A three-time Olympian and medallist in the sport of short track speed skating, Richard is a qualified sports and personal trainer designing individual fitness and nutrition programs for both professional and amateur golfers here in Australia and overseas. www.golffitsolutions.com

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53

instruction

Successfully nailing the punch shot

A brand new Hire and Demo golf club service for all golfers playing or visiting on the Gold Coast has officially been launched.

The service will be of interest for corporate and tourist markets as top line golf clubs will be available when the player needs them. It eliminates the golfer from having to carry on flights or in car at added costs or hassle.

Quality Club Hire will have an extensive inventory of over 80 golf club sets to choose from, which includes the latest models from leading brands. The brands include Callaway, TaylorMade, Mizuno, Titleist, Cobra, Nike, Adams, Tour Edge and PING. To make things hassle free, the clubs are delivered/picked up from the airport, golf course, or accommodation. Quality Club Hire owner PGA Member Pete Harrington says “this type of tailored service is the first of its kind in Australia and will also give players a ‘try before you buy’ option on a variety of new model clubs.” “It also takes the hassle and added cost out of travelling with golf clubs.”

For more visit www.thegolfschool.com.au •

Brent Dale

brent@brentdalegolf.com.au

Over the years of coaching and playing with club golfers, I have noticed that not many people have a different array of shots on hand to navigate their way around the golf course.

Over the next few months, I will be providing you with a few different shots that will not only help you save shots, but will also give you the confidence to play well every time you step on the course.

Photo 1

The punch shot

This shot is used to help keep the ball low through the air on a windy day.

Quite often I will see a golfer try to hit a normal shot into the wind but just give it a bit more “oomph” to compensate for the wind, which in the end adds more spin and will result in the ball coming up short of the target.

How you should play it: 1. Choke down on the grip to make the club a bit shorter 2. Play the ball towards the middle/back of your stance and also set your hands slightly forward (which will feel like you are taking loft off the clubface) See photo 1 3. Feel like you only swing about ¾ of the way back (so your left arm is parallel to the ground for a right hander) See photo 2 4. Have a short abbreviated follow through.

A big high follow through will just cause

Photo 2

Photo 3

you to hit the shot high. So keep it short and sweet! See Photo 3 5. Make sure you practice this on the driving range before you use it on the course.

for windy days, or when you need to hit a low shot out from under the trees.

Remember: Perfect practice makes perfect, so be sure to get out and put some effort in to really see the results.

My tip next month will be the lob/flop shot to help you with tricky shots around the green. •

Do yourself a favour and follow these easy steps to hitting a punch shot and you will add a very valuable shot to your game. This is great

Brent Dale is a AA PGA teaching professional available for lessons at Milperra driving Range & New Brighton Golf Club. Full Swing, Short Game and On Course Lessons available. Brent is also TPI Certified. www.brentdalegolf.com.au. brent@brentdalegolf.com.au. 0402 038 227

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July 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

instruction: putting

Free up on the greens • You can`t miss these putts if you want to be good!

(Is any of this sounding familiar to you?)

Tony Wells tony@aga.edu..au 0401 261 207

Who said that you can’t putt?

Do you know the importance of attitude and the mind set required to become a great putter?

Just as great golfers have great attitudes, so too do great putters have great attitudes. You need to believe that you are a great putter and you enjoy putting and the special challenges involved with putting–like reading greens and controlling the speed.

When I begin working with the students on their putting at the Australasian Golf Academy, I always start with two simple questions: 1: “Would you say you are a good putter?” and 2: “Do you enjoy putting”?

I can tell you that many students answer both questions negatively.

Players that are struggling with their putting also have attitude, unfortunately mostly negative attitude.

You know the type of attitude I am referring to, things like: • I hate putting!

• I dislike putting!

• How can you expect to shoot good scores if you keep missing these putts?

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve heard golfers say they can’t putt. Are you a golf player who’s negative about your putting? Do you always look for the negative in every situation?

Say you hit a great putt which catches the lip and spins out. Instead of seeing the positive of a well struck putt that happened to lip out (for whatever reason) you can only see the negative.

Do you constantly put pressure on yourself on the greens? Many golfers are more focused on putting mechanics than you are on your target.

You’re in an analytical mind set. So you just simply do not enjoy putting.

You need to learn to quiet your mind, and trust your gut instincts. You need to learn to ‘free up’.

When we watch athletes in other sports like cricket, football, baseball, etc., they look and react and trust their athletic instincts. Let’s use the example of an outfielder in cricket.

In an instant after he has picked up the ball he has to decide whether to throw the ball back to the wicket keeper or the bowler’s end. He does not become analytical and think about the mechanics, or what velocity or trajectory to throw the ball at, he just trusts his athletic instincts. Great putters do the same thing on the greens.

The “look and react” technique A “freeing up” technique we work on with our students, and have great success with, is the “look and react” technique. In this technique we have our students aim the putter face at the intended target, look at the target (the hole) and hit the putt whilst still looking at the target.

This technique takes their mind off technique and mechanics, initiates their creative ‘gut’ instincts and is unconscious and athletic.

The great thing about this technique is that you can take it to the actual course. The on course routine is as follows:

Aim the putter face at the target, look at the target, look back to the ball and start your stroke. When our students first start working on this new ‘quiet mind’ and ‘trusting their instincts’ routine, they actually feel like they are not trying hard enough. Perfect, that’s what you must do: you have to give up control to gain control.

Next time you go out and play, give this ‘look and react’ technique a go, and let me know how it works for you.

I want you to free up on the greens enjoy and learn to trust your gut instincts!

So take responsibility and choose to become a great putter…the choice is yours! •

Tony Wells is an AA rated Australian PGA Professional and Director of Instruction at Australasian Golf Academy located at the Parkwood International Golf Club on the Gold Coast. Tony works with students at every level from new golfers to tournament professionals. To book a lesson with Tony call 0401 261 207.

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www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2012

55

instruction: putting

What putterhead weight and swing weight should you be using?

Your ball is trying to tell you something and stroke and take notice of which side you miss on the most.

Glenn Whittle

Anne Rollo

glenn@whittlegolf.com

anne@fixmygolfswing.com.au

Since deciding to dedicate a large part of my time specifically to putting, I have seen a number of golfers putt consistently well using a light putter on slow greens, a heavy putter on fast greens, a light putter on fast greens and a heavy putter on slow greens. This shows us that we cannot just guess what might be best for me or you.

A putter is made up from three components: the head, the shaft and the grip. The balance between these parts can be measured by calculating the putter’s swing weight (the comparative weight) using a swing weight scale. Obviously, the weight of the putter head (head weight) has a major influence over the swing weight. Remember that the head weight and swing weight are different Unfortunately, the putter that you purchased may not fit you and may require some modification. However, when you do this by, say, shortening the putter length or by fitting an oversize grip, you change the original intended swing weight.

I recommend that a putter should measure between C8 and D8. If you are using a putter outside of these parameters and you are putting poorly, drop by the Sydney Putting Studio and we can help sort you out.

Precision Putters (who I design putters for) show the swing weight and head weight separately on each milled putter. They change

56

July 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

the head weight according to the length of the putter–this combination of length and putter head weight is important and does make a difference to your putting.

I have noticed lately that some manufacturers offer shorter standard putter lengths, but do this without increasing the weight of the putter head. This is not a good idea. I saw a client recently that had a long chest putter with a standard head weight on it. I was surprised at just how light the head felt, but to no surprise he was not putting well.

A lot of clients tell me that they are surprised that they hadn’t previously considered the importance of putter fitting, mainly because they use fitted clubs but not a fitted putter.

They obviously know that putting is a huge part of the game. • The 2008 NSWPGA Teacher of the Year, Glenn Whittle is an AAA PGA Member and is also an official iseekgolf.com Teaching Panelist.

Visit www.sydneyputtingstudio.com or www.whittlegolf.com.

There is a saying in golf: “The ball doesn’t lie.” Sometimes we wish it would, but it is only reacting to how you swing the club. So use it to your advantage and learn from your golf ball.

If you go for a lesson, a good golf professional will want to know what has been happening to your golf ball as there is so much evidence there as to what is going wrong.

Here are some examples of ways you can learn from your golf ball:

Pitching:

If the ball is running along the ground and over the green then the club head has impacted the ball too high up. You may have either scooped the club head up or left your weight on the back foot.

If you hit a nice pitch but it is consistently too long or short, check that the length of your backswing is relative to the distance you would like the ball to go. I see a lot of LONG backswings and short followthroughs for pitching. (Deceleration, in other words. Make sure you accelerate through all your shots.)

Putting:

If the ball misses consistently to the left or right your clubface may well be aiming in that direction at impact. Check your alignment

In the bunker:

Your ball hits the lip or flies miles over the green, your club head is coming up too soon, instead of hitting down into the sand.

Off the tee:

The longer shots are harder to read for the average golfer but if you slice the ball to the right, your club face may be open at impact.

This can be trickier to adjust than just trying to square the clubface up and you may need some help here but the ball is telling you exactly what is going on, you are holding your clubface open for some reason.

I understand that you may need a professional to help you read your ball, but it is trying really hard to tell you what is happening so try to tune into it, it can only help your game.

How the pros learn from their shots...HOLD WATCH and FEEL. This is how we learn from our ball when pitching, chipping and putting: HOLD the follow through, WATCH the ball until it finishes and FEEL the length of stroke/swing you used to get the ball there. • Anne Rollo is a European Tour tournament winning golf professional and author of ‘Passport to great golf ’ A pocket book or ‘cheat sheet’ to help you while you are on the golf course. She is also running a 4 day golf school at Royal Pines this August, check out her website at www.fixmygolfswing.com. au or phone her direct on 0404 235 563.

instruction: video analysis

Building a more consistent golf swing and game and hips more and his arms and shoulders less.

His rhythm and tempo began to surface and with ease he was able to finish in balance over the front foot.

At first his 8-iron flew 30 metres less than before, but his accuracy zeroed in. Once the feel for the pace and rhythm was achieved, Arthur added a little more thrust from his hands and while the ball still flew straight it was not long before he was hitting the 8-iron 125 metres plus with effortless ease.

Peter Croker

0415 292 549 www.crokergolfsystem.com

When asked what a golfer wants out of a golf lesson most people answer that they would like to be more consistent.

I ask: “Do you mean you want to hit all your shots close to your target just like your best shots?

Their reply is “YES!” This really means that we are all after “more control” on a consistent basis. This is a more tangible goal that can be realised.

When I first went on Tour way back in 1971, I was lucky to take a lesson the week before I travelled to New Zealand from Graham Campbell – a well know Golf Coach and TV Comentator on golf in that era. Graham was a successful PGA Professional who started his playing career alongside Gary Player and helped such players as Bruce Devlin.

After watching me hit some balls on the range, his advice to me was to complete the finish of every shot to a well-balanced position over my front foot. It was a simple lesson that I could think with while playing and I went off to New Zealand ready to test my game. In the first four New Zealand Tournaments I finished in the top 10 in three out of four and led the New Zealand Open for three rounds. I was thinking the PGA Tour was not so hard. Since then I have found that the game of golf has many more tests for us to face, but that simple lesson stands the test of time when it comes to playing to your potential when the pressure is on.

Arthur Holmes came for a lesson recently

Left: Off balance follow-through. Right: Balanced follow-through looking for more consistency (control) as each round had just a few holes where he would rack up high numbers—and when you are off a 9 handicap, this inconsistency stops your handicap coming down.

Arthur had lost some of his rhythm and balance and I noticed that his swing was a little bit too much force from the arms on the downswing. He was over-accelerating his arm swing on the downswing side.

I asked Arthur to swing very slowly and put his attention on the clubhead and feel the weight of it as it propelled downward and outward toward the ball. I wanted him to use his hands

LESSONS TO BE LEARNED HERE: Use the “Slow Swing Exercise” to a full and balanced finish to gain control over the clubhead, hands, arms, and body.

1. Use your hands and hips more and your arms and shoulders less.

2. On every full-swing shot, complete your swing to a full and balanced finish over your front foot.

3. Do not steer!

4. Enjoy the Hit! •

Enhanced video lesson

Watch the video on our IG Digital App for iPads

Peter Croker has been a PGA member since 1971 and has given lessons with his Croker Golf System to professionals including Vijay Singh, Arnold Palmer, Rocco Mediate, Fred Funk, Olin Browne, and Bob Charles. Based at The Dunes Golf Links, he delivers schools, individual lessons, and has an “Online Lesson Program.” www.crokergolfsystem.com/Academy/view-your-swing.html

The swing fix Damien Magaton (03) 9650 9766

Want to hit a draw? Get the club moving from the inside.

A great drill for getting the club moving from the inside is shown in the photo.

Set up a “Gate” on a 45-Degree angle to the target line using tees or golf balls.

The distance the tees are apart is around about a grip length when you start out. As you progress, and become more comfortable, you can narrow the gate a couple of inches.

What we are trying to achieve is swinging through the gate on an inside path without hitting the tees.

If you have a slice in your golf game, you probably have the club coming across your body, and most likely what will happen is you will hit the ball and the inside tee.

This drill will help eliminate that action, and help get rid of your slice. • Damien Magaton is an AA PGA Professional teaching at GolfTec in Melbourne. For more tips on your game visit him at www.golftec.com.au or phone 03 9650 9766

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www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2012

57

instruction: practice

Narrow your fcus Brent German 0412 533 555

Being an Essendon supporter, we have had a great start to the year. Being near/at the top of the ladder in May, the team were extremely focussed. Last month, we faced the bottom-of-the-ladder team Melbourne, and it felt like Essendon would have already won the game just by turning up to play. Because of this, Essendon lost focus on their end-ofyear objective: to make the finals and possibly win the flag. Melbourne won by playing a great defensive game, and their efforts must be justly rewarded. Essendon looked sloppy with the amount of errors, the lack of speed and enthusiasm for a win. Melbourne were extremely focussed on what they needed to do to notch their first win of the season and they played a highly defensive tackling game, hence the reason they won. They wanted it more than Essendon and never lost the focus.

The same goes for golf. When I was out playing with a few friends the other day, I lost my focus. These are just some of the things I was thinking just before playing my shot: • Thinking about planning my next holiday • How I am going to play the hole which is two holes ahead?

• What shall I have for dinner tonight?

• What do I have to do when I get home tonight?

• I also went what I call ‘blank’ in the mind as in a daze of no consciousness.

Another couple of things that make me lose my focus out on the course and hit bad shots are, say, when I hear a ball rolling towards you from the group behind, or when I play out of turn. History has shown that I have always hit a bad shot when these two scenarios occur as my brain vividly remembers this as I have done this all of my life. The only real answer to these two scenarios is to be self-aware and to re-focus when you are aware of the above situations.

Take your time to re-focus.

I recently attended a seminar with Jamie Glazier of www.Dare2Dream.com.au. Jamie coaches the mental side of the game (and writes Mental Game articles for Inside Golf). He reminded me of what needs to be done from a mental perspective of what should be done in a practice swing and also in the shot. The main thing that I took from this session is that we all affix ourselves on watching the poor shot as we don’t want to lose the ball. But this is the worst thing to do. How many times have you hit a great shot and didn’t watch its flight, trajectory etc. You pick the tee up immediately. So watching more bad shots than good shots will actually train your brain to remember the bad shots. All of the top players in the world just before they hit the ball picture their perfect shot and flight. When I played a round after attending this seminar, I made sure I pictured the flight before I hit each shot. I felt more relaxed and focused on the task at hand by doing this and it helped me eliminate any technical thoughts I normally have. On the front nine I was hitting the ball very close to the pin and hit 9 greens in regulation. If only I had putted better I would have been 3 to 4 under through the first nine.

What Jamie states is Feel, Hear and See the shot, not only in the pre-shot routine but also after you hit a great shot. Watch the good one so you can watch its flight and feel for positive reinforcement, which in turn assists the subconscious mind to store the pictures of the great shots. How many times have you

thought “I had better not hit it in the water” and then hit it straight into the water? Yes, that is where your brain was focussing. It wasn’t focussing on the perfect shot. As an example of great focus, how many times have you stepped up to a putt and thought you were going to hole it and you did? This is the subconscious at work. It remembers 88% of what you do.

So next time you go out and play, focus on a small target to hit. Don’t pick a big tree, but instead, how about a small leaf on a tree in the distance or aiming at

the side of a bunker. When I was playing tournaments, I used to count the amount of times I thought and focussed correctly on the course just before I hit the ball. When I was focused and thought only of ball flight and target (23 times during the round) and I shot par or better each time. When I only did it 15 times in a round, I shot 4 to 7 over, which goes to show that the proof is in the pudding.

Good luck with your focus during your practice, pre-shot and post-shot routine. •

Brent German is an AAA Accredited PGA Golf Teaching Professional based at Albert Park Driving Range Melbourne. Check out new tips added at http://www.youtube.com/user/ BrentGermanGolf and www.BrentGermanGolf.com or call him on 0412 533 555 to help you get rid of your slice, lower your score or hit it longer.

Antill Park

COUNTRY GOLF CLUB

12

ip bersh *

em ths M

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$54 from

Mon

Corporate, Social and Competition golf available Social Clubs welcome seven days Green Fees $29 for 18 holes - $20 for 9 holes (incl drinks voucher)

Equipment sale & hire - electric carts available

Golf lessons on site with PGA Members Full Bar and Recreation facilities on site Children friendly atmosphere in historic homestead location

Golf at Picton

Just minutes from the Hume along Picton Rd

*Conditions apply

58

July 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

juniors

New and old supporters come together for 2012 PUMP Golf season With the 2012 PUMP Golf season now well underway, the PGA is pleased to welcome back many long term sponsors and partners of the junior program... as well as announce some new faces!

Two familiar faces, in Twin Waters Golf Club and Novotel Twin Waters Resort, are set to again host the PUMP Golf Junior Festival in 2012. Also the home of the Holden Scramble Championship Final, the beautiful Twin Waters is synonymous with hosting spectacular events, and the Junior Festival is no exception. This year the team at Twin Waters will welcome 80 eager juniors from far and wide across Australia from 11 – 13 December 2012. Again coinciding with the Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola, which will tee off just up the road at Coolum, it will certainly be a week the lucky juniors won’t forget.

But there are plenty of ways juniors can get involved prior to the PUMP Golf Junior Festival. During the 2012 Shootout season, juniors can visit www.pumpgolf.com and enter the exciting monthly prize draws thanks to supporters FootJoy, Callaway, PING, Srixon, TaylorMade and Titleist. Since the inception of PUMP Golf in 2009, sponsors have given away thousands of prizes to juniors across the country.

In addition to the above manufacturers, and of course major sponsor Coca-Cola Amatil, PUMP Golf also welcomes a new supporter for 2012. Young Gun equipment is the latest sponsor to get on board with junior golf.

The PGA has also been working closely

Golfers at the fourth session of the Greg Norman Junior indigenous and non indigenous golf development program.

Baralaba GC hosts golf development program

with Golf Australia to further develop the link between the MYGolf program and PUMP Golf Shootout events. Both programs complement each other extremely well with MYGolf providing a sound skill foundation for juniors to move on to the golf course and compete in events such as the PUMP Golf Shootout.

The PGA and Golf Australia are committed

to working together to ensure all aspiring golfers get the opportunity and skills necessary to get out on the golf course and, of course, have fun!

For more information on PUMP Golf please visit www.pumpgolf.com or phone the PGA Events Division (03) 8320 1999. For further information on the MYGolf Program please visit www.mygolf.org.au. •

IN May, Greg Norman Junior Golf Foundation professional golfer Doug Gardner and Gurney Clamp, Golf Central Queensland travelled to the Baralaba golf club to conduct the fourth session of the Junior indigenous and non indigenous golf development program.

Students from the Baralaba and Woorabinda State primary schools received golf tuition followed by a round of golf over 3 holes under the guidance from teachers from both schools and members of the Baralaba Golf club and Woorabinda community, At the end of the program the students became the first Junior members of the Baralaba Golf Club.

It is planned to introduce simular programs to the townships of Dingo and Duaringa in the near future. •

Your Say

Do you know a junior golfer Young Gun or Rising Star at your local golf club? Tell us about them.

Email us at ed@insidegolf.com.au. Send pictures too! We’d love to share their story.

2012 PUMP Golf Shootouts NOW ON!

Play in a PUMP Golf Shootout for your chance to win a trip to the 2012 PUMP Golf Junior Festival. Checkout the website for an event near you.

JUST VISIT WWW.PUMPGOLF.COM © 2012 The Coca-Cola Company. ‘Pump’ is a registered trademark of The Coca-Cola Company

PUMP Golf is proudly supported by:

PUMP Golf is a National event, managed by PGA of Australia.

www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2012

59

juniors

Zach Murray with Marcus Fraser

Zach Murray heads west Zach Murray, one of the leading golfers in the Murray District Golf Association, is heading to Perth in September to compete in the School Sport Australia Golf Championships.

At only 15 years of age, and playing off a handicap of 1, Zach has established quite an enviable record.

He has recently been crowned the 2012 MDGA District Champion, the 2012 Commercial Albury Golf Club Champion and the 2012 Howlong Open Champion.

Zach displays exceptional natural ability and maturity and will surely go on to become a great ambassador of the game in the manner of another Murray District home-grown hero, Marcus Fraser.

To help Zach and his family with the financial impact of traveling to Perth, the Commercial Albury Golf Club have generously offered to donate all proceeds from a golf day to be held on Friday 20th of July.

The fundraiser will be a Four Person Ambrose commencing with a barbeque at 11am and a shotgun start at 12 noon. Entry fee will be $100.00 per team and further details and entry forms are available at the Commercial Albury Golf Pro Shop.

For more information, contact: Kelvin Gilder at 0418 578 419. •

Schweppes launches ‘Tee it Up’ Junior Golf Program

15 year-old takes Club Championship

This month, junior golfers and clubs around the country will have access to a new support package to help boost interest and participation in the game.

The Schweppes ‘Tee it Up’ Junior Golf Program launches on July 10 and it will give a number of golf clubs around Australia access to professional tools and resources to implement their own junior golf programs. In addition to participant “Tee it Up” packs (golf balls, cap, drink bottles, etc), the program supplies professionally-printed posters to help promote junior clinics, introduction letters for parents and high-quality certificates for all attendees.

The Program is open primarily to juniors between the ages of 6-12, but any age which is promoted by the club can join in.

“We have seen over the years that clubs have struggled promoting and producing their junior programs,” explains Simon Ellul, National Golf Manager for Schweppes.

“We believe that the Schweppes Tee it Up Junior Golf Program will give these clubs the professional tools they need to make their junior programs really stand out, and improve the overall experience for the participant. Instead of just getting a certificate printed from a Microsoft Word document, the Tee it Up certificates are all professionally done, which gives the Junior something they can truly be proud of.”

Schweppes have been a proud supporter of golf in Australia for over 30 years, and

Brett Colleta, a year 10 student at Parkdale Secondary College, won the Junior and Senior A Grade Club Championship at the renowned Sandhurst Club, one of Melbourne’s prestigious golf clubs with over a thousand members.

Brett is just 15 years old, and has been playing golf at Sandhurst Club for four years, having started at a coaching clinic with PGA Professional Stuart Leong, before playing Junior Pennant in 2008.

From the beginning of Pennant to current Colts Senior Pennant, Brett’s match play record has only two losses. Brett has also represented the Men’s senior pennant in 2012 on three occasions for three wins.

“Brett is a shining example of how determination and dedication of a young person can lead to outstanding achievements such as winning the Club’s Championship, and the importance of the extensive Junior Program being run by the Club,” says Peter Maher, Sandhurst Golf Club Men’s Captain.

Christian Hamilton, Director of Golf at Sandhurst Club said, “Brett had some impressive wins in his short career of ranking tournaments with memorable wins at Southern Junior Classic 36 Hole, Stuart Appleby Series at Metropolitan, and the Stuart Appleby Signature Tournament at Heritage Golf Course.”

Brett currently plays in the under 18 Victoria State Squad.

Commenting on his success, Brett thanked the Sandhurst Golf Club for its support and looked forward to enjoying his golf and the many friendships he had made at the Club over the past four years.

Christian Hamilton said the Golf Club had commenced a fund raising program to support Brett’s travel interstate to take part in a major tournament. •

the program will be promoted throughout the year, including at The Australian Masters and Perth International. There will also be junior competitions during the year to give participants rewards for being involved.

To discuss how Schweppes can support your junior golf program, please contact your state golf manager: NSW/ACT: Simon Walker (0419 232 818), VIC/TAS: John Halliwell (0419 576 047), Qld: Jeff Pollock (0411 648 214), SA: Chris Sims (0411 830 228), WA: Mike Evans (0433 139 468) •

CALLAWAY GOLF

Present this ad to receive a dozen Callaway Warbird Golf Balls*

Golf for $59 Midweek incl cart $69 Weekends & Public Hols incl cart 430 Wine Country Drive Lovedale NSW 2321 T: 02 4991 4777 | F: 02 4991 4888 | E: info@hvgcc.com.au www.huntervalleygolf.net.au *Valid until 31/07/12. Voucher must be presented at the Pro Shop prior to tee off. Any voucher presented after play will not be honoured.

60

July 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

travel

Time for a LinksGolfHolidays.com

The magnificent par 5, 12th at Kingsbarns, Scotland Links Golf Holidays is an exciting new Sydney-based Golf Tour operator, offering bespoke tours to Scotland, the home of golf. For any golfer, playing St Andrews is an absolute must, and no one could be better equipped to deliver your oncein-a-lifetime trip than the Links Golf Holidays founders.

Tour leaders James Harpham and Elliot Brown both lived and studied a long iron away from the first tee of the Old Course at the prestigious University of St Andrews. James studied a Masters in Economics and Elliot a Bachelor of International Management, Captained the University’s Golf Club, and won the St Andrews Gold Medal. Between them they have played hundreds of rounds across the finest links courses in the UK, specialising of course at St Andrews.

James is currently a member of Pennant

Hills in Sydney and grew up playing at Chatswood, whilst Elliot is a member of Royal Wimbledon in London.

Having lived and breathed Scottish golf for themselves, these golfing tragics have an unrivalled passion for the game and are determined to use their experience and knowledge to deliver unforgettable tours.

Golf in Scotland is, of course, synonymous with the British Open Championship. Links Golf Holidays combines the opportunity to play the Open-rota, with the “hidden gems” of links golf found in the spectacular Scottish highlands which are rarely discovered by tour parties. That’s just one of the benefits of local knowledge.

All golf fans will remember Seve punching the air after his famous victory at St Andrews or Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson’s epic “Duel in the Sun” at Turnberry. However courses such as Nairn and Royal Dornoch are also

steeped in history and provide a superb test of golf as well as breathtaking views of the dramatic Scottish coastline.

Off the course, Links Golf Holidays offers an authentically Scottish experience. Guests will enjoy accommodation in luxurious country mansions. Local cuisine is prepared by a personal chef. You will also have the opportunity to enjoy everything that Scotland has to offer away from the links, with tours of whisky distilleries and castles, walks in the stunning Scottish Highlands and daytrips to the historic city of Edinburgh. Links Golf Holidays offers a truly complete experience making it ideal for those travelling with nongolfing partners.

Tours leave in May and July 2013 (encompassing the British Open). For more details, visit www.linksgolfholidays.com or call James on 0451 669 358. Come try your luck on the Road Hole. •

LINKS LIVING

Walk to fairway from your front door (Golf property for sale)

Here is your opportunity to buy into a contemporary lifestyle and live on a golf course, just 40 minutes from Noosa and less than two hours from Brisbane in South-East Queensland.

Whether you are an investor, keen golfer or retiree, the Gympie Pines Fairway Villas located at the Gympie Pines Golf Club are some of the most affordable in the country.

For the astute buyer, Villa 7 is one of the best in the complex.

One of the first originally hand-picked off the plans, this private villa stands out with the ground floor dedicated to stylish living and dining, and three

bedrooms and a large office upstairs.

Features include a double lock-up garage and two bathrooms, with a third toilet on ground level, and the villa benefits from its north-facing aspect, offering views down the fairway. Bench tops are Caesarstone throughout the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry.

This complex lends itself to entertaining, and it is easy to have a drink and dinner with friends around the barbecue. If you want a day off the green, you can enjoy the abundant gardens and landscaping while cooling off in the pool and getting fit in the private gymnasium.

The golf course is just minutes from

Gympie’s CBD, where you can shop in the city’s historic main street and appreciate 19th century architecture which echoes the gold rush era.

Figures are available on request for any investors and you will be pleasantly surprised at the tremendous returns available.

Property Auction: Sunday 22nd July at 12 noon. Open from 11am.

Contact Chris Thomas on 0428 836 149 for further details and to organise an inspection. Chris has a vast knowledge of the Gympie area and in particular the golf club, where he became a member in 1965 as a junior golfer. • www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2012

61

clubs

Carrara – a facility for all comers David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

MANY people are intimidated by the prospect of learning to play golf on a traditional golf course.

At Carrara Gardens Golf Course on the Gold Coast, people can play and practise in a relaxed, friendly environment away from the glares and embarrassment of holding up more experienced golfers.

The ability to practise or take lessons in a climatecontrolled environment as well as the ability to use the facility during the evening hours is an obvious advantage.

Carrara Gardens’ general manager Jeremy Thompson said the facility was the perfect place for golfers to focus their attention on grooving their swing.

Thompson, who took over the day/night golf course and driving range a year ago, has transformed the facility into a Utopian concept where practice and playing can be fun.

“Carrara Gardens is a public access facility open to everyone, especially great for people who are time poor but still want their golf fix,” he said.

“This is the perfect venue for players of all standards.

We are getting people from beginners to tour players using the course and range, the wide range of abilities we are able to now satisfy show how far we have come in such a short time.”

Carrara Gardens, a 12-hole course, boasts floodlighting for night golf and has a full-length driving range.

“It’s not a punishing course, but it offers enough of a challenge to the skilled golfer that keeps them interested.

“Many skilled golfers’ first impression of the course is they think it’s a walk over, after several holes they soon realise this is not the case.

“A lot of my time-poor customers say they like

OPEN ALL HOURS: Carrara Gardens day and night golf course and driving range. to come here because they can play 12 holes in 90 minutes and nine holes in 50 minutes.”

Compared to traditional clubs, Carrara Gardens does have a more relaxed dress code but they do draw the line on thongs and vests.

Over the past 12 months, the new management team has spent time sprucing up the course, driving range and clubhouse facilities.

Some of the changes to the driving range include bullseye targets and premium quality mats.

“This adds to the fun and all the targets are laser measured and the short game area has been improved beyond recognition,” Thompson said.

“We have completely transformed the image of the facility, which once was considered less than adequate.

“We have just opened the clubhouse entertainment room, which offers free pool, table tennis and darts and we have expanded our food and alcohol range.

“Because the course and range is floodlit we are open from 6am to 9pm seven days a week. Golfers can play nine holes at night or use the range.”

Although not a traditional membership, Carrara

Gardens does have an incentive where anyone who pays $250 up front receives $500 worth of credit to be used for the range or golf course. Attendees who submit three scorecards signed by a marker are eligible to receive a Carrara Gardens home handicap.

“We will manage your handicap and this is a free service,” he said.

During the winter months, golfers will pay just $15 to play 12 holes between 12 noon and 4pm.

“We do happy hour golf on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday and that’s $15 from 4pm unlimited golf,” Thompson said.

Night golfers can purchase a glow ball package for $20 or play in the glow ball competition on Thursday nights.

“Night golf has never been so much fun.”

For more information, call (07) 5596 0404. •

Bring your bling, ladies

CARRARA Gardens Golf Course is rolling out the red carpet to women.

Every Thursday evening, an event is held for women who have work/life commitments but want to give golf a go.

The Bring your Bling event allows women to meet like-minded women and play golf in a friendly environment.

“It’s about introducing golf to ladies,” Jeremy Thompson said. “They can play in a relaxed environment where no one cares how you swing, play or score.

“We want the ladies to dress up as fancy as possible. They can come with glitter over their golf bag and shoes, diamonds in ears, have the most ludicrous coloured golf balls.

“With a weekly winner for the most ‘blinged up’ lady and the opportunity to buy more items it will be interesting to see how crazy they get.” •

New playing options at Links Hope Island

Links Hope Island recently announced the creation of new playing options at the club for the local and corporate golfer.

Designed by five-time British Open winner Peter Thomson and his partner Michael Wolveridge, Links Hope Island—which is central to both the Gold Coast and Brisbane— is a traditional links-style golf course with a first-class clubhouse and dining facilities.

The new options are designed to attract regular golfers who wish to affiliate with a premier club without the expense of an entry or joining fee.

The Links 7-Day Pass offers daily course access, eligibility to play in club competitions, maintenance of Golf Australia handicap and discounts in the Golf Shop, Links Restaurant and Driving Range. The fee for 12 months is $4,400.

The Links 5-Day Pass, offering similar benefits from Sunday to Thursday, is $3,150 for a 12-month term.

The existing Corporate Partner Program has been revised to offer entry-level packages of 30 rounds including golf cart and GPS for $2,950.

“We have formulated these packages to attract golfers who wish to belong to a quality club without the expense of joining fees,” explains Mark Holland, general manager.

“Our course is maintained to consistently high standards as are the service levels within the club. With our location just 40 minutes from central Brisbane and within easy reach of the Gold Coast, we are confident the packages will be sought after by the discerning golfer who demands quality.”

For more info: Leigh Milne on (07) 5530 9023 or golfmail@linkshopeisland.com.au •

Bankstown Golf Club

BGC Membership Special Sunday/Public Holiday only memberships now available for less than $25 per week.

Competition fees only $6, Compare this to what you are paying now!

*Conditions apply

Join the club prior to June 30 and receive the time remaining free of charge. (Available to all classes)*

Phone (02) 9773 0628 | Enquiries: gm@bankstowngolf.com.au | www.bankstowngolf.com.au 62

July 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

High

5

from the top of the mountain

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

Leura Golf Course

THERE are a number of hidden gems scattered about the Blue Mountains and each offers a panorama that could even inspire non-golfers to break the mould and have a game.

If only they had the judgement to point their car in the direction of Springwood, Leura, Blackheath, Wentworth Falls or Katoomba golf clubs they would surely become converts.

Just look at the photos on these pages and you will see why these courses offer some of the best

value for money golf facilities in the country.

The Blue Mountains, a 90-minute drive from smoggy Sydney, has other advantages – it’s where you’ll start to breathe in the crisp, clean fresh air.

There is plenty of debate among the golf clubs over who has the best views in the mountains.

Still, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and the friendly rivalry will continue for a while yet.

The Blue Mountains is picturesque with vistas to die for and the colour and the hues of the flowers and trees, particularly at Blackheath, are magnificent.

At nearby Leura Golf Club, the sweeping views across Jamieson Valley are impressive – little wonder it’s a hot-spot for wedding photos.

Golfers and non-golfers alike are missing out if they don’t book a Blue Mountains holiday.

We stayed at Leura, a delightful place for a

weekend away or a longer holiday. It’s virtually sandwiched between its near neighbours, which are all within easy reach.

The village has much to offer including boutiques, souvenir shops, cafes, restaurants as well as sightseeing bus trips. Aside from golf, there’s plenty to see and do in the mountains.

Here is a look at golf in the Blue Mountains starting with the first club you will encounter en route to the top.

Play ‘n’ Stay packages available 18 Hole en re Social G 5 fees $3 Cart 18 Hole 5 3 Hire $

Let’s do lunch!

For more than 100 years a round of golf at Leura Golf Club has been something very special, it is difficult to imagine any setting in the Blue Mountains to compare with Leura Golf Course. It is a magnificent 18 hole layout in which you will experience some of the world’s most breathtaking golf holes with exceptional views from every hole but it is the 14th that leaves one gasping in awe.

Mention this advert when you book your game with the Proshop and receive a complimentary lunch*

The club’s restaurant offers delicious, great value meals for lunch and dinner.

Our PGA Golf Professional offers Individual tuition and Group clinics for conference delegates.

Social golf groups especially welcome with significant discounts offered for groups of 10 or more.

Carts and hire equipment also available.

Sublime Point Road, Leura NSW 2780 Club (02) 4782 5011 or Pro Shop (02) 4784 1503

www.leuragolfclub.com.au

Wentworth Falls Country Club Blaxland Rd, Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains NSW Clubhouse (02) 4757 1202 | Pro Shop (02) 4757 1899

www.wfcc.com.au

*Select from the members’ lunch special served each day between midday and 2pm. Valid until 31 August 2012

www.insidegolf.com.au | June 2012

63

FRIENDLY FIRST: Springwood Country Club offers golfers attractive deals.

Springwood Country Club

NOTHING beats a holiday more than starting with a round of golf and Springwood Golf Club should be your first port of call.

It’s the first golf club you’ll come to as you head up the mountain.

They even promote themselves as the “first and friendliest in the Blue Mountains”.

The club’s bistro is open for lunch from Wednesday to Sunday and dinner from Thursday to Saturday. There’s a lovely outdoor area with views stretching all the way back to Sydney.

It’s hard to believe, but Springwood has been welcoming members and visitors for more than 100 years.

The golf course measures 5421m (men) and 5054m (women) and provides golfers of all abilities with a decent challenge.

And get this – you can play the course Monday to Friday for just $15 and $30 on weekends and public holidays.

Springwood caters for all types of functions

including weddings, birthdays, conferences, exhibitions and tutorial lessons as well as providing live entertainment for the benefit of members and guests.

The club can accommodate playing groups with midweek or weekend packages as well as booking accommodation, special meals and tee times to suit all needs.

Golf carts and barbeque facilities are available.

For more information, contact the club on (02) 4751-1122.

Wentworth Falls Country Club

HOW many golf courses can lay claim to be situated in a world heritage-listed national park?

Not many, but Wentworth Falls Country Club can and is surrounded by majestic mountain pines and a mixture of native and European flora.

The club offers some amazingly cheap golf packages including play-and-stay packages.

Over the years, Wentworth Falls has become

TREE-MENDOUS: Wentworth Falls Country Club shows off its colourful course. known as the “sleeper course of the mountains”.

One of the nice things about the golf course is it allows golfers to use every club in the bag.

Each hole has a look and feel of its own offering a mixture of short, medium and long holes (mostly medium to long) with a premium being on driving.

The tree-lined course is easy walking with only a couple of uphill holes. The putting surfaces are consistently good, but the contours can bring even the best putters unstuck.

The midweek green fees are $30 and $35 on weekends.

The club’s friendly pro Dale Burnett has one of the best-stocked pro shops in NSW and is open seven-days-a-week.

The club’s Brasserie is open from 11:30am every day for lunch and from 6pm for dinner Wednesday to Saturday. They offer $10 lunch specials Monday to Friday.

For more information, call the club on (02) 4757-1201.

Leura Golf Club

FOR more than 100 years, a round of golf at Leura Golf Club has been something very special.

The real Blue Mountains comes alive when playing at Leura which has exceptional views from every hole, but it is the 14th that leaves everyone gasping in awe.

“Simply stunning” is how it’s described and that’s because the hole is bordered by one of the biggest hazards in golf – the Jamieson Valley.

The views across the valley are breathtaking and that’s why brides flock to have the best day of their lives recorded near the green with the valley and mountains as a backdrop.

They reckon there are more shots taken with cameras than golf clubs on this hole.

Still, the entire course is as pretty as a picture and one of the best challenges in the mountains.

The back nine is more demanding, particularly the 13th, 14th and 16th holes.

BLACKHEATH GOLF CLUB

You’re always at the top at the highest, most beautiful course in the mountains • GREAT SOCIAL CLUB RATES • SOCIAL GOLF AVAILABLE 7 DAYS • FULL BAR AND BISTRO • FREE ROOM HIRE FOR 2012 FUNCTIONS

PH (02) 4787 8406 | PRO SHOP (02) 4787 5643

Visit our Website: www.blackheathgolf.com.au 64

June 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

MEMBERSHIP AVAILABLE

FROM

$345

(No Joining Fee Conditions Apply)

PICTURE PERFECT: The daunting tee shot from the 17th tee at the Blackheath golf course.

The club’s restaurant is open for lunch from Tuesday to Sunday (12 noon to 2pm) and for dinner Tuesday to Saturday (5:30-8:30pm).

The restaurant offers an assortment of snacks and light meals as well as fresh, great tasting meals that are very affordable.

There is also a vast array of good quality places to stay in the area including five-star Fairmont Resort, which is right behind the clubhouse.

Visit www.fairmontresort.com.au Leura’s PGA club professional Tim Barlow offers individual tuition, group clinics for conference delegates. Carts and hire equipment are also available. For more information, call (02) 4782-5011 or pro shop (02) 4784 1503. Email proshop@leuragolfclub.com.au or admin@ leuragolfclub.com.au

Blackheath Golf Club

AT Blackheath Golf Club, everything is new again.

In recent months, the club has made some

katoomba golf

sweeping changes by installing a new manager, Brad Clarke, as well as a new superintendent, bar staff and caterers.

“When it comes to golf in the Blue Mountains, Blackheath is the gem of the mountains,” Clarke said.

Social clubs certainly agree as they flock up the mountain for a game.

Anyone who visits Blackheath will tell you it’s a colourful and striking course.

Blackheath, they say, is the Blue Mountains’ rhododendron village.

The course is lined with these colourful flowering trees along with maples, blossoms, azaleas and other botanical treasures that flourish in the mountains.

The parkland-style golf course also attracts many species of native birds and ducks that thrive on the course and waterways.

The golf club is the perfect place to enjoy good old-fashioned hospitality.

Voted the best Asian restaurant in the

katoomba golf katoomba golf

STAR ATTRACTION: Katoomba Golf Club has hosted some of the biggest names in golf. mountains and Central West Region, the club’s Canton Palace Restaurant offers a wide variety of options from light snacks to threecourse meals.

Award-winning chef Brian Yiu has more than 30 years’ experience in the restaurant and catering industry. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday to Sunday.

For more information, call the club on (02) 4787-8406.

Katoomba Golf Club

IF you play golf at Katoomba golf course, you will be following in the spike marks of some famous stars.

In years past, Walter Hagen, Gary Player and even “Babe” Didrikson Zaharis made their way up the mountain to play exhibition matches at Katoomba.

Player shot a 64 there and then went on to win the Ampol Tournament in Melbourne a few days later.

And Hagen waived his usual £150 fee when some of the members offered to show him the local sights.

By modern standards, Katoomba is not a long course but it is decidedly tricky.

There are plenty of trees on the golf course so if you spray your golf ball too wide of the fairway you will be staring bogey in the face.

Still, it’s a good test of golf for all levels of players and the green fees are inviting – just $25 (midweek) and $30 on weekends.

The clubhouse has all the modern facilities including a restaurant, which is popular with members and the town’s folk.

Katoomba Golf Club is the perfect venue for corporate events, social groups, charity events, meetings, seminars, weddings and other celebrations.

If you want to stay for a few days, the club can arrange stay-and-play packages. For more information, telephone the club on (02) 4782 2000. •

katoomb

Come out and Play!

Above the smog, Below the fog All playing Memberships OPEN NOW @ Last year’s PRICE No Joining fees APPLY Pay by Month Full playing $61 per Month Restaurant open Wednesday - Sunday Competition days Tuesday - Sunday

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www.insidegolf.com.au | June 2012

65

travel

All aboard for island golf

A journey aboard The Sunlander en route to playing golf at Hamilton Island Golf Club in the Whitsundays is an experience not to be missed, writes DAVID NEWBERY IT’S way past my normal bedtime when I fall into my bed aboard Queensland Rail’s The Sunlander bound for Proserpine.

Expected arrival time is 8:30am – plenty of time for some shut eye, but already I’m starting to think 19 hours on board won’t be enough.

The train’s movement rocks me in my comfortable bed and I quickly fall asleep to the sound of wheels on tracks.

It’s what I love about train travel … the soothing motion as the carriages glide along the tracks.

There is something mysterious, graceful and romantic about train travel.

Someone once said: “If God had meant us to fly, he wouldn’t have given us the railways.”

I have taken Queensland Rail’s four-day masterclass culinary experience with Master Chef finalist Alana Lowes to Hamilton Island.

I’m up early, showered and refreshed and head for the lounge car where tea, coffee and delicious pastries are served by QR’s friendly staff.

A day earlier, I arrived at Roma Street station in Brisbane. The cab driver dropped me at the kerb and I took the short 15-metre walk to the platform.

Compared to airports, this is effortless.

It’s 12:15pm and The Sunlander doesn’t depart for another 75 minutes, but the QR staff have assembled to greet the passengers.

There’s chef Alana Lowes, her brother, an American travel writer and another from Brisbane, a recently retired couple from Sydney, as well as couples from Brisbane and elsewhere.

Their motivation: they love train travel, good food and wine and want to experience Queensland from a different perspective.

ISLANDS IN THE SUN: Golf and fun awaits travellers on Hamilton and Dent islands.

Thirty minutes into the journey and we’re in the lounge car enjoying a glass of wine and canapés as Brisbane’s northern suburbs give way to the passing scenery of the Glasshouse Mountains and Sunshine Coast hinterland.

The train picks up speed and the ever-changing scenery flashes past the windows.

Queensland Business Women’s Championship

A couple of hours later we pull into Nambour North for a short 15-minute stop. There we alight to feast on delectable Redclaw crayfish farmed fresh from Cherax Park Aquaculture Farm.

Then it’s all aboard to freshen up for a cosy dining experience hosted by our own celebrity chef Alana Lowes.

We start with a seafood dish of Queensland sand/ mud crab in cucumber and mint essence; crispy kataifi-wrapped Mooloolaba prawns with toasted citrus aioli and seared Hervey Bay scallops with herb salad.

Then the mouth-watering entrée of confit duck salad with blood orange, avocado, pomegranate and nasturtium flowers.

The main dish is spice scented Dorper free-range lamb with harissa gemolata, white bean puree and caramelised roast pumpkin followed by dessert of chocolate and pistachio slice with chocolate mousse and honeycomb shards and cheese platters.

Each delicious dish washed down by the best of Sirromet wines, of course.

It doesn’t get any better than this and the evening turns out to be a highlight of the trip.

The train arrives on time at Proserpine and we are shuttled by coach to Whitsunday Gold Coffee Plantation for a freshly roasted coffee, breakfast and a tour of the plantation.

Then it’s on to Airlie Beach for our transfer to world-renowned Hamilton Island, which truly is an island paradise and the perfect getaway for those wanting to escape from the mundane, busy everyday life.

Food lovers are spoilt for choice as there are plenty of restaurants that serve anything from gourmet pizza to modern Australian fine dining, but we head for Romano’s Waterfront Italian restaurant, which overlooks the foreshore.

There is a plethora of things to see and do on the island including snorkelling the reef, sailing, exploring walking trails, riding quad bikes across rugged terrain, go-carting, jet skiing in pristine waters,

Enjoy onE of Golf’s GrEat GolfinG ExpEriEncEs Mount Coolum Golf Club is an 18 Hole course nestled at the foot of one of the most prominent Sunshine Coast landmarks.

Come and play a round of 18 holes with spectacular Mount Coolum as your backdrop.

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Acknowledged as one of the most picturesque and popular courses on the Sunshine Coast, Mount Coolum Golf Club is the perfect venue for:

Queensland Business Women’s Championship Sunday 26 August 2012, Palm Meadows Golf Course

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www.golfqueensland.org.au T: (07) 3252 8155 66

June 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

• Social Golf • Corporate Days • Weddings, Birthdays and Functions • Social Golf Clubs

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www.mtcoolumgolf.com

17 Lumeah Drive, Mount Coolum (off Suncoast Beach Drive)

Phone 5446 1539

travel

Golf with the stars

CHEERS: Diners enjoy a scrumptious meal aboard The Sunlander. canoeing or pamper yourself by indulging in a choice of nourishing spa, massage or skin therapies.

And then there’s golf at Hamilton Island Golf Club, which is one of the most picturesque and spectacular courses you will ever play.

You have to island-hop to get there because it’s actually on adjacent Dent Island – a seven-minute ferry ride away.

That’s just enough time to mentally prepare for the challenge ahead.

A word of warning: take a few extra golf balls because you will undoubtedly lose a few – most players do at their first attempt. On some of the par4s and par-5s it’s best to leave the driver in the bag.

The four par-3s are great – especially the 175m fourth, which is played across a valley to a large angled green.

In windy conditions, it’s a treacherous hole, but the views across to Long Island and the mainland are spectacular and make up for any blemishes.

What really gives the golf course a unique feel is there are virtually no parallel holes, which gives the impression your group is the only one on the course.

Such is the seclusion of this hilly, island adventure that you might almost forget you are playing golf in a world heritage marine park.

The golf course is a tough, yet rewarding – just what you’d expect from a Ross Perrett and Peter Thomson-designed golf course.

TICKETS PLEASE: The Sunlander snakes its way through Queensland’s picturesque countryside. INSET: Celebrity chef Alana Lowes.

But if you play smart and have the mental strength to take your eyes off the magnificent tranquil turquoise ocean as boats and yachts zigzag from island to island, there are plenty of birdie opportunities.

In the afternoon, we make our way to the Hamilton Island Yacht Club to watch the sun set and join Alana for a master-class cooking session and dinner.

Here she shares her secrets to specially prepared dishes including barbecued chilli and herb redclaw skewers, hot smoked salmon with a cucumber, orange and fennel salad and a whole baked fish.

There’s plenty of time for an early morning swim or to indulge in water sports before your flight home.

As we make our way to Hamilton Island Airport I catch up with Sydneysiders Hans and Heather Vink, who tell me they have thoroughly enjoy the trip.

“The trip has been a wonderful experience,” Heather said. “I will certainly recommend it to anyone.”

“After this, we’d love to take the Spirit of the Outback train out to Longreach.” •

GETTING THERE

Queensland Rail has more four-day Master Class journeys available this year and in 2013 with master chefs Andrew Mirosch, Alana Lowes and Dominique Rizzo.

The dates are: Brisbane to Hervey Bay with Andrew Mirosch departs August 10.

Brisbane to Hamilton Island with Alana Lowes October 18-22.

Brisbane to Hamilton Island with Dominique Rizzo - November 22-25.

For more on these adventures or other Qld Rail Travel options, phone 1300 131 722 or log on to www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au

ENTHUSIASTIC and adventurous golfers can join Queensland Rail’s Swing with the Sporting Legends upcoming tours.

It’s all aboard with either Wayne Grady, Allan Border, Jimmy Maher or Greg Ritchie for a fouror 10-day adventure where you can work on your game and enjoy the picturesque surround of the Capricorn Coast or Cairns, the Whitsunday islands and the Sunshine Coast.

Jimmy Maher (July) and Wayne Grady (September) will host the four-day trip to the Capricorn Coast.

The trip includes a business seat onboard the Tilt Train (Brisbane to Rockhampton); one-way economy airfare Rockhampton to Brisbane; two nights in a Resort Room at Mercure Capricorn Resort, Yeppoon; golf at a championship course at Mercure Capricorn Resort; Capricorn Coast highlights tour with Capricorn Day Trippers;, one night in an executive room at Edge Apartment Hotel, Rockhampton; golf at Rockhampton Golf Club and transfers and meals.

Allan Border (August) and Greg Ritchie (November) will host the 10-day Day Coastal Golf’n-Rail Adventure.

The trip includes: one-way economy flight (Brisbane to Cairns); 3 nights at Paradise Palms Resort and Country Club, Cairns; golf at Paradise Palms Resort and Country Club; business seat onboard the Tilt Train from Cairns to Proserpine; one night in a Garden View Room at Coral Sea Resort, Airlie Beach; Fantasea Cruises transfer from Airlie Beach to Dent Island and Hamilton Island; golf at the Hamilton Island Golf Club; overnight twin sleeper onboard The Sunlander from Proserpine to Nambour; 3 nights in a Lagoon View Resort Room at Novotel Twin Waters Resort, Sunshine Coast; golf at Novotel Twin Waters Resort; economy seat onboard the Tilt Train from Nambour to Brisbane and transfers and meals.

For more information, telephone 1300 131 722 or log on to www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au •

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67

people

Greg Norman Junior Masters on the move Tom Ryan (Chairman of the Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation) receives the cheque from Marlene Shields ( Col’s wife) and event organiser Roy Ryan.

Keep remembering Col

CHAMPIONS: Last year’s Greg Norman Juniors Masters champions Anthony Murdaca (SA) and Su Hyun Oh (Victoria).

“We’ve never had this type of format before so we’re very excited that we’re able to play the championship across these three top courses.

“It gives us an opportunity to revamp the whole concept and we’re planning to introduce a few new ideas this year, which will present the tournament in a whole new light.

“We’re thrilled that the tournament is back in Queensland and we think it will benefit tourism on both the Gold and Sunshine coasts.”

In fact, the foundation plans to approach the Gold and Sunshine coasts councils and tourism bodies to

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STRATHFIELD GOLF CLUB 84 Centenary Drive, Strathfield NSW 2135 02 9642 0326 office@strathfieldgolf.com.au

www.strathfieldgolf.com.au 68

July 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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gauge their interest in supporting and promoting the tournament.

“The Masters is an international event,” she said.

“Players from many overseas countries, all states of Australia and throughout Queensland come to play in it and recently we even had interest from France and India.” • FOOTNOTE: The Greg Norman Golf Foundation and Clive Palmer have signed an agreement that will see The Colonial, Robina Woods and Palmer Coolum Resort host the tournament until 2022.

OLD golfers never forget their mates – even after they have departed to the fairways in the sky.

Keperra Golf and Country Club stalwart, Roy Ryan, recently organised a Keep Remembering Col Memorial Golf Day for one of his best friends, Col Shields, who succumbed to melanoma cancer last year.

In its first year, the event raised $1220 for the Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation.

“The foundation does some very important work,” Roy said. “Aside from research, they do all sorts of things including trialling procedures which helped keep Col alive for another five years after he was given only a year to live.

“We think the charity day is a nice way of honouring Col and providing the Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation with muchneeded funds.”

Roy said the Keperra club had played a big part in the success of the day by making available much sought-after tee times. Of course, Keperra was the appropriate venue as Roy and Col joined the club way back in 1975.

To find out more about the foundation’s work, telephone (07) 3394 7284 or visit the website www.gallipoliresearch.com.au •

HUNTER VALLEY GOLF GETAWAYS

Cypress Lakes Golf & Country Club

THE Greg Norman Junior Masters has a new home, well, three actually.

After 19 years at Coolangatta Tweed Heads in NSW, the internationally recognised tournament border-hops back to Queensland.

The Colonial and Robina Woods golf courses on the Gold Coast and the Palmer Coolum Resort on the Sunshine Coast will host the 72-hole championship from December 13-18.

The opening ceremony will be at The Colonial on December 13 followed by the first 54 holes at The Colonial and Robina Woods courses starting on December 14.

Then it’s off to the Palmer Coolum Resort for a practice round on Monday, December 17 followed by the final 18 holes on December 18.

Greg Norman Golf Foundation CEO Rae Clarke said a contributing factor for the move was financial.

“In 2011, the Greg Norman Golf Foundation lost its government funding so we had to look at all our options,” she said. “We made the decision to move the tournament and I’m sure it will work out well.

“Coolangatta Tweed Heads has been a great venue for the tournament and we would like to thank them for their support over the last 19 years.

“We certainly have appreciated all their help and assistance.

“In fact, we (foundation) are going to go down there to officially thank them for their support and give them a memento for the years we have had the Masters there.

“We don’t want to cut ties with them because we formed a good friendship over the years.”

Ms Clarke said it would be the first time the tournament would be at multiple venues.

“From our perspective we feel it will be the ultimate test of golf for the players,” she said.

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the 19th hole

Playing through

The quick nine quiz

By David Newbery

ed@insidegolf.com.au

One of the weirdest things happened to me the other day. I had snuck out on my own to Bonnie Doon Golf Club to critique the new “Mike Clayton-Geoff Ogilivy” holes using my unique brand of analysis. That’s when you hit the ball into places neither Clayton nor Ogilvy ever will, then offer your own expert advice along the lines of – “I reckon that landing area on the 11th is way too narrow…particularly when hitting off the 4th tee. Or “Is there a dead elephant buried under the 13th green? Well there’s a dead green keeper there as well now....sorry!”

After about four holes I ran straight into the back of a group of women golfers who looked like they were taking it a lot more seriously than I was. I don’t mean I literally ran into the back of them. That could either lead to a serious injury or an unwanted pregnancy.

I made an attempt to discretely drive my cart past the girls and sneak onto the tee in front of them. It seemed to work OK except for the fact that all four women stopped and stared at me in that “private golf club, what do you think you’re doing young man” type of way. It was one of those moments when you realise how slow many motorised carts are these days.

I finally arrived to the next tee and quickly teed up my three wood so I could perhaps find my first correct fairway and get out of their way. There was a groundsman kneeling down pulling some weeds out of the garden, no more than 10 feet from me as

I swung the club back. The second I made contact with the ball I realised my club had suddenly lost about 10 notches off the swing-weight. This bizarre sensation was followed by a sound resembling a Black Hawk Helicopter heading away from me at speed and the realisation that I was only in possession of half my three wood. The other half, with the head still attached, was obviously in some state of flight but I had no idea where! My immediate reaction was to warn any fellow golfers within earshot by screaming out “What the…#@%&… !”. Then I spotted it, flying beautifully end over end like something Daniel Boone had thrown, straight towards the green my four new girlfriends were about to step onto. Why does this crap only seem to happen to me?

At least the young bloke in the garden next to the tee would have seen what had happened in case I needed to front the Bonnie Doon Board for malicious damage and a violent breach of private golf course etiquette. When I looked to him for support, he was still on his knees, head down with two earphones implanted in each ear moving his head from side to side like Stevie Wonder. He might as well have been Stevie Wonder for all the help he was going to be.

Now I had to head back onto the previous green with the same women not only staring but now pointing at me as if I was a sick pervert who had just flashed them. As I was bent over, removing my club from the pristine green and repairing the damage I noticed from the corner of my eye one of the women striding towards the green. She had one of those looks on her face that I hadn’t seen since Mrs Woodcock marched across the classroom and smacked me in the ear for dropping one in the middle of Kerry Ginsberg’s answer to how many pies you can fit into a square root.

I hastened back to the cart without making eye contact and sped off at 8 kph up the next fairway pretending to wave to someone in the opposite direction.

I haven’t answered the phone now for three weeks and my wife sends food into my bedroom every couple of days. I’ll give it a couple more weeks then I’ll venture out again. By the way, the work Clayton and Ogilvy have done on Bonnie Doon is brilliant and I would suggest you have a hit there as soon as you can. You might want to avoid Thursday mornings though. •

ANSWERS: (1). Paul Lawrie, 1999, 10 shots behind leader; (2). Greg Norman, 64 at Royal St Georges in 1993; (3). St Andrews with 27, Prestwick 24 and Muirfield 15; (4).

Jack Nicklaus and J.H. Taylor with 16; (5).

Rory McIlroy shot 63 at St Andrews in 2010; (6). Gary Player with 46; (7). Ben Curtis at Royal St Georges in 2003; (8). Ernie Els in 1993 (68-69-69-68) and 2004 (69-69-68-68); (9). Greg Norman 267 at Royal St Georges in 1993 (66-68-69-64).

Larry Canning

1. Who overcame the largest deficit after 54 holes to win the Open Championship – Seve Ballesteros, Tiger Woods, Paul Lawrie or Lee Trevino?

2. Which popular Open champion shot the lowest final round? Clue: He has two Open titles to his name.

3. Which course has hosted the Open Championship more than any other – St Andrews, Prestwick or Muirfield?

4. Can you name one of two players who have had the most top-5 finishes in the Open Championship?

5. Who holds the record for the lowest first round in the Open Championship – Jason Day, Ernie Els, Rory McIlroy or Adam Scott?

6. Which competitor has made the most Open Championship appearances?

7. Who was the last player to win the Open Championship on debut – Tiger Woods, Ben Curtis or Tom Watson?

8. Can you name the only player who, on two occasions, carded four rounds under 70 and failed to win The Open?

9. Which Open champion registered the lowest winning total – Ian Baker-Finch, Greg Norman Tiger Woods or Larry Canning?

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Forster Tuncurry Golf Club Tuncurry Golf Course Strand Street, Forster Northern Parkway, Tuncurry

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It does not get any better.

KELVIN GROVE STATE COLLEGE – GOLF QUEENSLAND

APPLICATIONS FOR 2013 CLOSE ON 14 SEPT 2012

We are extending an invitation to Junior Players aged between 9 and 17 years to join the Golf School of Excellence at Kelvin Grove State College.

Limited places are available for Golfers of all handicaps from Year 5 - 12.

Senior Squad Yrs 9-12 Criteria - Single figure handicap, behaviour and work ethic of high standard Development Squad Yrs 7-12 Criteria - Handicap limit of 24 (Boys) 36 (Girls), behaviour and work ethic of high standard Junior Sharks Squad Yrs 5-7 Criteria - No handicap limit but encouraged to obtain, behaviour and work ethic of high standard INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS WELCOME TO APPLY Kelvin Grove State College Golf School of Excellence provides coaching and instruction from these professionals: • Indooroopilly GC golf coaches- Lee Eagleton, Gary Calder, Gene Saunders (all AAA rating coaches) • BioMechanics and Physiotherapy - Michael and Joanne Dalgleish • Fitness Coaching - Brad Pillette - Hughes • Nutrition - EatSmart - Lauren Nugent • Sports Psychology - Mental Notes Consulting - Matt Ahlberg • Cert III in Fitness - College of Health and Fitness - Tony Attridge

inTeResTed?

Contact Mr Bruce O’Neill – bonei11@eq.edu.au or 0417 725 917 Including name, age, handicap, golf club & contact phone number

FoR enRolmenT pAckAges pleAse conTAcT Sharon Lyon: slyon64@eq.edu.au Ph: 3552 7340

www.insidegolf.com.au | July 2012

69

the 19th hole

Only a hacker knows the feeling DESTINATIONS

The beauty of Wollongong

Michael Green ed@insidegolf.com.au

Don’t tell me you haven’t dreamed about sinking the winning putt at the US Masters, or even just contemplated what it must be like to clinch victory in front of thousands of people. It’s what keeps many junior golfers on the golf course after dark, but for many of us the dream has long faded and a slot in the field in next week’s Stableford competition is enough to keep up our passion for the game.

Australian professional golfer Ewan Porter recently announced his retirement from the professional game at the age of 30. Although Porter didn’t reach any lofty heights on the world stage, he played the Nationwide Tour, qualified for several British Opens and won the Moonah Classic in 2008 by a whopping seven shots. He cited a lack of passion as one of the main reasons for his retirement at an age considered to be well below a golfer’s prime.

No passion for golf? Surely not.

When you consider that only very few pros get a chance to make the winning putts for cheques the size of your front door, you have to wonder whether any sane person would contemplate the career in the first place. Maybe golf is more fun for us weekend hackers anyway.

Let’s consider for a moment what these professionals are missing out on.

Has Tiger, for example, ever experienced that feeling of playing a poor Saturday competition round, only to soon realise his paltry 32 points was good enough to win a golf ball? Has he ever won a Nearest The Pin by blading a 6-iron to within three feet of the flag, or been handed a free beer because a playing partner failed to reach the ladies tees? I think not.

The pros are often judged harshly if they storm off the golf course following a bad round.

They’re given hell if they give the media the cold-shoulder or ignore the kids who waited for an autograph all afternoon. I can safely say that we never have to deal with this sort of stress and if anything, most of us are judged on how quickly we get home rather than how long we stick around the golf course.

And what about that feeling when a

While a giant cardboard cheque is certainly a nice dream, it pales in comparison to spending four hours with a few good mates during your weekly round one-pointer becomes two, as you remember your handicap went out last week and you now get an extra stroke on that hole. Only a true weekend hacker knows that feeling.

There is also that practice thing. We are under no obligation to do it. We obviously know it would be good for our game but it can get really boring sometimes, and we’d simply rather spend a day with the family than pounding out hundreds of ‘reps’ at the driving range. Our livelihood doesn’t depend on the game and thankfully for those of us who hate practising, yet still expect a decent round of golf each weekend, we’re mightily thankful for it.

Apart from perhaps one professional golfer, none of them would know the pleasure of a regular foursome. Every weekend, rain, hail or shine, we can spend a good four or five hours with three of our best mates. It must surely beat being paired with some young bloke you barely know who wears a trucker cap and a shirt tighter than your socks.

Hey, at least we get the chance to play every weekend too. The only thing resembling a cut at the local golf club is when you don’t get your name down in time for the following weekend, and that has nothing to do with the way you swing a golf club.

We should step on to the golf course proudly each weekend as we may just be the envy of a few professional golfers. It’s thankfully not a game we’ll ever be forced to retire from, in fact most people retire to play more of it. The pros can keep their giant cheques, autograph sessions and missed cuts. Right now all I’m dreaming of is a sunny weekend, a straight drive off the first and enough points to take a few bucks off my mates. A golf ball would be a bonus. • Michael Green is an avid golf fanatic, and the author/ blogger of the Aussie Golfer blog (www.aussiegolfer. net) one of Australia’s most popular golf blogging sites.

Follow him on Twitter (twitter.com/AussieGolfer) or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AussieGolfer

Blessed with 70 kilometres of spectacular coastline and a stunning Escarpment, Wollongong is located just one hour south of Sydney via the scenic Grand Pacific Drive, which includes the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge.

Not only does Wollongong and the South Coast boast a beautiful natural environment, there are many cultural and recreational activities to indulge in, including visiting the largest Buddhist Temple in the southern hemisphere, numerous unspoilt beaches, art galleries and you could also enjoy the diverse range of restaurants and cafes the area has to offer. For the more adventurous, there is skydiving over the beach, hang gliding/ paragliding, Harley and Ferrari joy rides and Jamberoo Action Park (the largest water park in NSW). Of course there is also a wide variety of golf courses to enjoy ranging from a links layout on the beach to courses on the foothills of the Illawarra Escarpment.

At the moment, Wollongong City Tourist Parks is offering a mid-week special starting from $240 per person giving you the choice to play one or more of nine courses in the region, all within 40 minutes of tourist parks Bulli Beach, Corrimal Beach and Windang Beach.

Bulli Beach Tourist Park is located approximately 10km north of Wollongong CBD, located on the beachfront and is the ideal place to enjoy unspoilt beaches, tidal rockpools and Wollongong’s coastal cycleway.

Corrimal Beach is set between the escarpment and the ocean and located right on the beachfront approximate 5km north of the CBD. This park is perfectly positioned to take advantage of everything the city has to offer.

Windang Beach is approximately 15km south of the city and sits between Lake Illawarra and the Pacific Ocean, and offers access to the very best fishing, surfing, windsurfing, boating and sailing. www.wollongongtouristparks.com.au •

Macquarie Inn Situated on the Northern tip of Lake Macquarie and only 25mins from Newcastle CBD

PLAY & STAY PACKAGES FROM $125 pp twin share* Package includes: • 18 Holes of Golf • Overnight Accommodation at the 4 star Macquarie Inn • A full hot breakfast • A Dinner voucher and Drink Ticket for Club Macquarie

Other: • FREE Internet access • Transfers can be organised on request • Ample FREE off-street parking • Small or Large group bookings welcome

Packages available with Newcastle Golf Club, Merewether Golf Club, Shortland Waters Golf Club, Toronto Country Club and Waratah Golf Club; Also located within 30mins of 3 other golf courses (*MID WEEK SUN-THU)

For Bookings call (02) 4958 8499 | 458 Lake Rd, Argenton, NSW 2284 | www.clubmacquarie.com.au/accommodation 70

July 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

the 19th hole

THE MAILBOX

Your letters and stories The Winner Is...

The way golf used to be played I take you on a journey back in time, when golf was a real challenge. This was back when a three wood was actually made of wood and, if you were lucky, you had more than eight clubs in your bag. The standard set of clubs back in the day was a Driver, 3-wood, 3, 5, 7, PW, sand iron and your putter. If you were rich or a good golfer, you also might have had a 9 iron or another “intermediate” club to fill in for those “in-between” shots. I even remember some of my original clubs having Hickory shafts (and to this day I still have one of these hickory sticks in my bag).

This was back in the time before GPS devices and distance markers on sprinkler heads telling you exactly how far it was to the pin (or at the very least, the middle of the green). This was when you had to do it all by eye and hope you didn’t have to make an appointment at the optometrist to get your eyes checked just because you were hitting the ball to far or too short.

The shafts in your clubs were all made of some very rigid steel and none of this fancy fan-dangled polycarbonate/graphite, which you can now order in stiff, normal or super flexy so you can fashion shots depending on where you are on the course. The balls were like hitting a lump of putty or smacking

Golf a game for everyone Now, more than at any other time in the professional era of golf, over a hundred players are capable of winning a major. Sure, Tiger Woods’ trials and tribulations have played their part, but he still looms as a potential winner when he stands on that first tee. These days there is so much diversity of styles.

Bubba Watson’s stunning victory at The Masters proves that golf encompasses all personalities and techniques. Bubba can produce amazing, freakish shots from seemingly impossible positions

a rock around the fairways. My driver way back when had a smaller head than some of the 3-woods I now see. The sweet spot on those clubs was so small but, when you hit it properly, it felt so good.

Because you only had a 3 or a 5-iron in your bag, you had to know how to hit the same club various distances. You didn’t have a 4-iron to fill the gap.

Your putter looked like a metal plate stuck on the end of a piece of dowel and there was nothing like a belly or long putter. When it came to winning the club championship (which I have never done) you had to do it with a standard length putter and, with your hands (and possibly your whole body) shaking. None of this anchoring the putter to your body somewhere to eliminate this tremble.

While it would be very interesting to see today’s golfers contend with the constraints of yesteryear, for the rest of us, all I can say is Thank God that technology, innovation and the rules have moved on. My eyes are shot and I thank my GPS for telling me how far out I am from the green. My new driver (which looks like a Galapagos turtle shell stuck on the end of a stick) now allows me to hit a little off centre and still hit a reasonable shot just because the sweet spot is so much bigger. Mind you all the technology in the world won’t eliminate bad shots and you can only blame one thing now: THE FOOL ON THE END OF THE CLUB. Warren Gray (like he did at Augusta). Sometimes a flamboyant player like Watson wins. On other occasions, more conventional players such as Charl Schwartzel and Padraig Harrington hold the trophy aloft.

Many sports tend to lack variety. Tennis, for example, has become a game of baseliners. All competitors play the same way. Matches look the same. Golf celebrates individualism. Some players are big hitters. Some like to weave their magic from the bunker. Some can do pinpoint chips. Then there are the consistent putting players. Golf is a game for everyone and every spectator.

Kevin Nathaniel Riverview, NSW

The Big Miss…again Carl Murphy (May’s winning letter) “The Big Miss” isn’t alone. Playing in the Saturday comp at Magenta Shores nearly 18 months ago with my husband and the Magenta Lady Captain and her husband, I hit my tee shot off the Par-3 15th hole, never to be seen again. I decided to hit another shot from the tee and hopefully scramble a point. Yes, it went into the hole for a ‘3’,

much to the amusement of my playing partners who were standing at the edge of the green. A hard way to scramble 2 points. I was presented with a trophy for my ‘Clayton’s’ Hole in One. I’ve been playing golf for over 40 years and I’m still waiting for that elusive Hole in One, maybe one day.

Di Thomlinson

Smartphone ban not smart I write in response to your February 2012 article on iPhone GPS apps on mobile phones being now banned on the course. The R&A’s rationale for not allowing a distance-only golf GPS app is that other applications (such as weather forecast and compass) exist on the phone that may assist the golfer, even if they are not used.

They have to be kidding. Really, how much of an advantage is it to use a compass or a weather forecast? First, most folk know which way is North and, anyway, it is permissible to mark it on the course map on the back of the scorecard. Second, does anyone believe that checking a weather forecast on your app is going to be better than “having a look around” at the time to see what the weather is actually like?

Another small problem: this rule states if you have a smartphone you CAN use the phone, as long as you do not the other artificial aids (apps: weather, compass etc) on the device. This raises the question about other devices that contain artificial aids. Many watches these days have a compass function. Does this mean these watches cannot be used (as watches)? Finally, what about the traditional way of getting a compass bearing with a watch. Is using a watch in this way illegal? This new rule is the beginning of a steep slippery (stupid) slope. It is illogical, inconsistent and will spawn dozens of other rules clarifications.

Russell Roberts Orange, NSW

Black and White and Red all over I joined the Brisbane District Veterans Golf Association this year in order to access a wide range of courses. Variety is supposed to be the spice of life and we play 25 different courses in and around Brisbane. So far I’ve enjoyed the experience immensely. One annoying little trait that has surfaced, however, is the differing methods of indicating hole positions on greens. One course might have a red flag to denote a front location, yellow for the centre and black and white check for the rear. The next course, a different series of colours entirely. It is rare that this can cause confusion, but once you pass 55 years of age the

fewer distractions the better.

While I can respect a club’s right, currently, to use what system they prefer, I personally and quite a few of my fellow vets would appreciate seeing a standard marking system. Golf Australia (and I know they read this excellent publication) should give this issue the mirror treatment and recommend a standard flag system for all Australian courses for the benefit of travelling golfers everywhere.

Bob Muir Victoria Point

Have you got something to say? Then tell us! Write to us via email at ed@insidegolf.com.au or mail a letter to: The Editor, Inside Golf, PO Box 360 Nunawading, Vic 3131. Tell an interesting story or something funny about golf and you could WIN a Smoothy Compact buggy valued at $230!

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the 19th hole

Disability won’t Cup runneth over with aces stop Graham GOLD Coast amputee Graham Cox has only one handicap that concerns him – his golf handicap.

The 68-year-old Robina Woods course marshal lost his right arm in a hovercraft accident 18 years ago, but he’s never let the injury rule his life.

He’s even more active now than before the accident, both on and off the course, and his love of golf has been the catalyst for a series of domestic and global adventures.

Next month the 29 handicapper will represent the Gold Coast and Australia at the 75th World Open One Armed Championships at St Andrews from June 29 to July 6.

“I always go to these tournaments with the feeling that I’m representing Australia and particularly the Gold Coast,” Cox said.

“I’m not expecting to win it, but I’m going over there to compete and kick some butt.

“We will all be allocated a final position, so if I end up in the top 30 or so I’ll be very pleased with that. As long as I do my best and the other golfers know I’m there, I’ll be happy.” •

How to attract women AT least one golf club general manager is taking the advice of Mike Leemhuis the chief operations officer at the Congressional Country Club in the US. Redland Bay Golf Club’s proactive boss Aaron Muirhead was all ears when guest speaker Leemhuis told delegates at the recent GMA National Conference in Melbourne that the fastest growing golf category in the US was the women’s category.

Based on the information, Redland Bay Golf Club embarked on a program to see if the same applied in Australia.

They set up a program consisting of a one-hour group clinic delivered by the club’s AAA-rated PGA professional Shannon Beck, who was assisted by the club’s proactive ladies committee.

“The clinic focused on the simple aspects of the game to help build the confidence of these predominately new people trying the sport,” Muirhead said.

After the clinic, the ladies committee members introduced the new-comers to the course by playing three holes with them before returning to the clubhouse for nibbles and a chat with Muirhead.

He detailed further development strategies available to them including practice facilities, golf competitions and other benefits.

“These clinics have proved extremely successful increasing the ladies membership at the club by a staggering 11 per cent,” he said.

Due to the success of the clinics, more clinic dates have been set.

“I believe that we can still improve on the increases that we have already observed by holding specific clinics for ladies because the feedback from the participants has been nothing short of excellent.

“It is a credit to our ladies committee for embracing the concept and also seeing the need to continue improving what we offer to new and existing members.

“Over the last 18 months, we made a conscious decision to add value to our members at the club, which has resulted in an increase of 14.5 per cent in golfing memberships.” • 72

July 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

IT’S been raining aces in the Southern Highlands.

Only recently, three women from the region each scored a hole-in-one within four days of each other.

Moss Vale Golf Club’s Barbara Zorgdrager got the ball rolling when she aced the 11th hole at Goulburn Golf Club during the CSGA Veterans Open Day. It was her first ace.

Barbara and playing partners Heather Buchanan and Pam Barker couldn’t believe their eyes as they watched the ball head straight for the hole and disappear.

A day later, Moss Vale’s Jocelyn Mackay aced the 16th hole at Moss Vale while playing in the WGNSW 3BBB par round with Helen Babbage and Christine Levy.

“When it landed, I thought it would be pretty close (to the pin) and bent down to pick up my tee,” she said.

“When I stood up and looked the ball had disappeared into the hole and my playing partners had already started to celebrate.”

It was Jocelyn’s fifth hole-in-one.

Two days later, Satoko Hayashi got in on the act.

The Highlands Golf Club member aced the fourth hole at Bowral Golf Club while playing in the Bowral Lady Members Open Championship.

Satoko knew she had hit a good shot because the ball was heading straight for the flag. But the green is elevated so she didn’t realised she had potted an ace until she arrived at the green.

Thinking the ball may have gone over the back of the green, playing partners Sally Bailey and Gloria Campbell searched for the ball, but Satoko knew better. It was in the hole.

“I was very excited and had to try and calm down,” said Satoko, who finished runner-up in

Dave Bushell with the golf balls he used to score two aces.

Two rounds – two aces ACES: Pam Barker, Barbara Zorgdrager, Jocelyn Mackay and Satoko Hayashi are the sharpshooters of the Southern Highlands. the Bowral Open Championship after getting her first ace.

When the trio got together at Bowral Golf Club for a group photograph they discovered Pam Barker had scored an ace a month earlier.

The Bowral Golf Club member had her holein-one on the 17th hole at Queanbeyan Golf Club while playing in a CSGA Bronze Shield pennant match.

Playing against Yass Golf Club’s Sheralee Sheedy, Pam was 2-up at the 17th and only needed to halve the hole to win the match.

Her perfectly struck tee shot bounced once before hitting the flagstick and dropping into the cup.

“I think Sheralee was more excited than I was as she had never seen a hole-in-one before,” said Pam after her second career ace. • FOOTNOTE: Two other local ladies, Alexandra Dowling and Robyn McGinnes, have had a holein-one at Bowral Golf Club this year. Alexandra had her ace on the fourth hole and Robyn aced the sixth.

Mt Coolum celebrates

MT Coolum Golf Club on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is celebrating after a stellar pennant season.

The ladies pennant teams were unstoppable as they took out their respective divisions – midweek, grade 1 and 2 of the North Coast Zone pennant finals.

The weekend pennant team won the pennant final while the grade 2 team had to playoff against Peregian Springs to make the zone final.

Lyn Smith, Janice Olley, Jenny Smallcombe, Jan Porter, Kerryn Hyde, Heather Chalmers, Denise Degenhardt, Megan Breid and Sam Brown won the playoff and went on to win the final.

Kerry Baldissera, Vikki Garrood, Jan Silbery,

Carolyn Chestnut, Chris Andrews, Elly Cooper, Nicky Robinson, Carol Traill, Debbie Ambler and Joan Weideling made up the grade 3 winning squad.

The weekend warriors were: Jean Brkic (captain), Yvonne Clohsey, Julie Hoven, Jean Warren, Denise Gilbert, Carol Cartwright, Anne Hackett, Lyn McWaide, Sandy Mastin, Janis Worrell, Sue Holzman and Leanne Borham.

Meanwhile, the Mt Coolum B grade men’s team also won their division to round out a highly successful season for the club.

The Mt Coolum juniors, made up of mostly firstyear players, also put in a strong showing. •

DAVE Bushell waited 20 years for his first hole-inone and one week for his second ace.

“It’s amazing,” said the 18 handicapper from the Wolston Park Golf Club in Brisbane. “I waited 20 years for the first one and then get two in a week.”

Dave said he had come close to scoring an ace on a few occasions.

“I have hit the pin a few times, but the ball has bounced all over the place. I play golf every week with a friend and I saw him get one three years ago when his ball hit the pin and went straight in.

“Getting my first hole-in-one was absolutely amazing.

“At first, I thought the ball was going to be a bit long and I started shouting at it ‘come back, come back’ and it dropped a foot from the hole and popped straight in. I couldn’t believe it.”

Dave used his trusty seven-iron on the 137m 13th hole and a five-iron to secure his second ace at the 163m 16th hole.

“I didn’t see the second one go in,” he said.

“The rest of my game was absolute rubbish. I just happened to hit one good shot and that was it. I think getting a hole-in-one is 95 per cent luck and five per cent skill.

“Apparently, a few good shots make you a good golfer.”

Unfortunately, Dave was unable to attempt to get a third ace over consecutive weekends as he had work commitments in the Northern Territory. •

Concord goes for youth and experience CONCORD Golf Club in Sydney is proving golf truly is a game for the ages.

The club’s Grade 1 women’s pennant team is a case in point as it has a mixture of youth and experience.

The youngest member of the team is 13-year-old Shelly Shin, who plays off +2, while the senior team member is Joyce Williamson at 78 years young.

She plays off a 12 handicap and has been a member of the club for the past 27 years.

Naturally, Shelly is the pennant team’s number one player, but Joyce holds her own at number seven.

For the record, Joyce won her important pennant match at Pennant Hills recently to allow Concord to finish runners-up in their first year in the top flight. •

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.BJM PSEFST BDDFQUFE DMVCUFDI!PQUVTOFU DPN BV Visit ourFactory FactoryShowroom Showroom Visit our at at 74 Newlands Coburg North 30583058 Phone 74 NewlandsRoad, Road, Coburg North Phone

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